[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 50 (Monday, December 18, 2006)]
[Page 2168]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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Message on the Observance of Hanukkah 2006

December 15, 2006

    I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of 
lights.
    During Hanukkah, Jewish people everywhere honor the liberation of 
Jerusalem and the great miracle witnessed in the Holy Temple more than 
2,000 years ago. After Jerusalem was conquered by an oppressive king and 
the Jews lost their right to worship in freedom, Judah Maccabee and his 
followers courageously set out to reclaim Jerusalem from foreign rule. 
Though their numbers were small, the Maccabees' dedication to their 
faith was strong, and they emerged victorious. When they returned to 
their Holy Temple for its rededication, the Maccabees discovered enough 
oil to burn for only one day. Yet the oil lit the Holy Temple for eight 
days, and the light of hope still shines bright in Jewish homes and 
synagogues throughout the world.
    Each year, the glow of the menorah is a reminder of the blessings of 
a just and loving God and the sacrifices made over the centuries for 
faith and freedom. Laura and I pray that this holiday season will be a 
time of happiness in every home and a time of peace throughout the 
world.
    Happy Hanukkah.

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