All of them ! If you understand this, you understand something of Judaism. The point is not how to spell the word but to get on with the lighting of the candles already !
Just do it , was the slogan of the Jews long before Nike decided to use it .
Our menorah sits on a table in the kitchen by our front window so it can be seen from the street. Lighting it is such a quiet ritual, gentle and simple.
But it’s message is very profound. . A little light dispels much darkness.
What are we saying when we light our menorah at home ? That we believe in freedom of religion. And also the right to practice that religion in a semi-public way, from our kitchen window.
We went downtown last night to the capitol building and had a menorah lighting ceremony there. In front of the steps near where we stood, was a very large and beautiful Christmas tree. When I saw it, I was happy. I want people to be able to display the symbols of their faith. They have theirs, we have ours, and amen ! I don’t feel threatened by seeing a Christmas tree.
What I find truly puzzling is the fear that so many people seem to have that if any religious symbol is displayed in a public place that this means we are “violating” the separation of church and state. ( a phrase not found in the constitution by the way ) Let us be honest. What is SAYS is that the government shall not ESTABLISH a religion. And last I heard, the governor hasn’t made any resolutions declaring that all people in our state need to become Christians if they want to get a government job ! It’s PREPOSTEROUS to conclude that ANY display of religious ritual in public amounts to establishing that religion. We are only walking openly in the very freedom that America was founded upon. We are the most religiously diverse country on the face of the earth !
Let us celebrate this wonderful gift. Let us not try to drive the religious people among us into the closet. I THOUGHT our society had come to the conclusion that is was admirable to come out of there. . . .
Oy Hannukah, oy Hannukah, come light the menorah !