[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 50 (Monday, December 13, 2004)]
[Pages 2931-2932]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Lighting the Hanukkah Menorah

December 9, 2004

    Welcome, everybody, to the White House. Hanukkah is a festive 
holiday that celebrates a great victory for freedom. We remember the 
liberation of Jerusalem and a miracle witnessed in the holy temple 2,000 
years ago. For 8 days the oil burned, and the light of freedom still 
burns in Jewish homes and synagogues everywhere.
    We are honored to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah in the White 
House this evening. We have a beautiful menorah from the Boca Raton 
Synagogue in Boca Raton, Florida. Laura and I are grateful to have it 
here, and we thank Rabbi Kenneth Brander for making that possible.
    I also thank the gentlemen from Kol Zimra, who will help us say the 
blessings over the candles and bless all of us with their music. 
Welcome.
    The Talmud teaches that the menorah lights should perform no 
function other than to proclaim the miracle of a just and loving God. 
Every generation since Judah Maccabee has looked on these candles and 
recalled the sacrifices that are made for freedom. And in every 
generation, these lights have warmed the hearts of those not yet free.
    Today, many Americans are sacrificing to bring freedom and hope to 
the oppressed. In this holiday season, we pray for the safety of our 
troops, for the success of the mission, and for their speedy return 
home.
    And tonight we have asked the three eldest children of one of our 
Jewish chaplains, Army Chaplain Shmuel Felzenberg, now on duty

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in Iraq, to do the honors of lighting the menorah. Will Menachem, Chaim, 
and Miriam Felzenberg are here to light the candles.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 4:30 p.m. in the Bookseller's Area in the 
East Wing at the White House.