[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 49 (Monday, December 12, 2005)]
[Pages 1825-1826]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.

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