    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 6, 2005]
    [Pages 1819-1820]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah
    December 6, 2005

        Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are
    glad you're here, and we're glad to be here to celebrate the festival of
    Hanukkah. Hanukkah begins later this month. It's

    [[Page 1820]]

    a time to remember the story of a miracle once witnessed in the Holy
    Temple in Jerusalem.
        More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient land of Israel was conquered,
    and Jewish people were forbidden to pray, observe their religious
    customs, or study the Torah. In response, a patriot named Judah Maccabee
    led a revolt against the enemy army. Their numbers were small, yet their
    courage in defense of their faith was powerful, and they were
    triumphant.
        When the Maccabees returned to reclaim their Holy Temple, the oil
    that should have lasted only 1 day, instead burned for 8 days. During
    Hanukkah, Jews across the world signify this miracle by lighting the
    menorah. This act commemorates the victory of freedom over oppression
    and of hope shining through darkness. Today, that light still burns in
    Jewish homes and synagogues everywhere. And today, that light will burn
    here in the White House.
        Laura and I are honored to have a beautiful
    menorah here from Park Synagogue in Cleveland, Ohio. Rabbi Skoff, thank you very much for sharing it with us. I also
    want to thank Rabbi Barry Gelman for his prayer
    and thank him for his deep compassion. As he mentioned, he is the rabbi
    from the United Orthodox Synagogues in Houston, whose members did so
    much to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
        I want to thank the West Point Jewish Cadet Choir for being here
    with us this evening. Our Nation is grateful to the American troops of
    all faiths who are serving our country around the world and who are away
    from their families this holiday.
        The word ``Hanukkah'' and the Hebrew word for education both come
    from the same root word that means ``to dedicate.'' And earlier today, I
    met with some of the leaders from our Nation's Jewish day schools. As
    educators who dedicate themselves to teaching the faith and to teaching,
    they are fulfilling the true lesson of Hanukkah every day of the year.
    Just as the Maccabees reclaimed their Holy Temple, these teachers help
    ensure that Jewish traditions are passed from generation to generation.
        Tonight as we prepare to light the candles, we are grateful for our
    freedoms as Americans, especially the freedom to worship. We are
    grateful that freedom is spreading to still new regions of the world,
    and we pray that those who still live in the darkness of tyranny will
    some day see the light of freedom.
        And now I invite Rabbi Skoff and his
    daughter and family to join me for the symbolic
    lighting of the White House menorah. The honor is yours.

    Note: The President spoke at 5:37 p.m. in the Bookseller's Area in the
    East Wing at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Rabbi
    Joshua Skoff, Park Synagogue, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and his daughter,
    Eden.