On a frosty December evening a few years ago, I stood on Pennsylvania Avenue gazing for my first time at the seat of the American Presidency. It was Chanukah, and my friend Shmuley and I were in Washington, interning at American Friends of Lubavitch, sponsors of the monumental National Menorah on the Ellipse.
Op-Ed: An American Chanukah
On a frosty December evening a few years ago, I stood on Pennsylvania Avenue gazing for my first time at the seat of the American Presidency. It was Chanukah, and my friend Shmuley and I were in Washington, interning at American Friends of Lubavitch, sponsors of the monumental National Menorah on the Ellipse.
While I took in the sights of our nation’s capital, I overheard two people having words at the inconsistent White House Peace Vigil. There, a bitter lady braves an equally bitter winter, as she devotes her life to nuclear disarmament. But on this particular evening, a young Iranian student was protesting the controversial demonstrator of Lafayette Park.
The Vigil’s keeper, spotting two Jews, began condemning the State of Israel. We soon discovered, together with our new Muslim ally, that the hateful views being expressed were less political than personal. Not anti-Israel, but downright anti-Semitic.
It turned out that the presence and preeminence of the giant Menorah was the cause of her towering rage. In her bigoted rant, questioning the constitutional right to have a Menorah displayed on state property, she managed to include a certain expletive before decrying “those Jews.”
The Menorah, a national display of religious freedom, silently stands for what is great about our nation, while the racist woman and her shaky tent demonstrate the fragility of our cherished First Amendment rights.
The story of Joseph, the Bible’s victim turned viceroy, is always read in proximity to the festival of Chanukah. Mystics point out the common theme of Jewish authority in both narratives: the Hasmonean dynasty, and royal Hebraic destiny. The rise of a detained minor to dominating majesty, and the victory of a weak minority against the mighty.
In the story of Joseph, Pharoah outranks him only with respect to the throne. Joseph becomes the second most powerful man in Egyptian ancient civilization.
American journalist Lawrence Spivak rightly dubbed the White House Chief of Staff as the second most powerful man in Washington. Holding the highest ranking position in the Executive Office, the chief of staff has the ear of the president, even if he is not a successive heir to the presidency.
This past Sunday, Marking thirty years since the first lighting of the National Menorah, a Jewish chief of staff kindled the giant candelabrum, and a sense of pride in countless Jewish-Americans. Rahm Emanuel is a testament to what his Hebrew surname means, “G-d with us.” Despite our enemies in flimsy tents and in formidable state houses, in every generation we are able to thank G-d for His “miracles,” “redemptions,” “mighty deeds,” and “saving acts.”
Chanukah is about Jewish pride and human hope. It is about G-d being with us. And in this country, it is about G-d’s blessing that is America.
Not impressed
Withh All due respect to the author of this artgicle. Rahm Emanuel…is not with us…..or a pride for the Jewish People. Better to have Goyim plotting to destroy Israel, than a Jew who has the ‘ear’ of President of the US who pushes Israel to give up Territory.
I respect Chabad for asking him to light the Menorah, being Chabad sees the Potentialo in everyone. Chabad is no fool, they know who Rahm is… they know he isn’t in the camp for Israel’s security… you shoulodn’t be fooled either.
American Chanukah
Nice piece of writing.
who wrote it?
Faivish
Dont get the point of this droshe.
delicte
At first I thought of writign how much I disagree with you getzy. Emanuel is not in line with our (lubavitch, frum) political views but then i re-read your op-ed.
delicate point, but well written and taken
dershowitz
“you honor not only to influence the past, but to influence the future.”
-the rebbe
typical
another getzy controversy to keep us reading:)
to Faivish
oish faivish, when are you gonna leb mit der tzieten?
joshua abrams
It seems to me that to light the Nations Menorah is important for sure. However perhaps Chabad has played into the hands (indirectly) of those who oppose the complete and SECURE Israel.
Having Rahm light the Menorah only legitimizes him in the eyes of the Shluchim — and also gives Rrahm stature to press , squeeze and worse on the Jews of Israel.
Of course you want the most powerful jew to light the menorah for maximum publicity, but on the other hand there are many Jewish notables that could have lit the menorah without compromising the security ( i.e. indirectly) of Eretz Yisrael.
Mitzvahman613
Rahm is NOT a source of pride for the jewish people. In fact just the opposite. He is a hillul Hashem. Rahm Emmanuel should NOT be honored with lighting the national menorah. He is a jew and we must mekarev him. However it should not be done in public.
Yankel613
Emmanuel is a walking Hillul Hashem. Why is he being honored. There are far better yidden to honor. Rahm pushes Obama to pressure Israel in giving up land to our enemies. He is not a source of pride for the jewish people.
CrownChabad
Asking Rahm Emmanuel to light the Menorah is nearly as bad as asking Shimon Perez. The both use their energy to fight against Torah and Mitzvos as well as the safety of Eretz Yisrael
#! Getzy Fan
Getzy is trying to say that he went to a menorah lighting in DC a few years ago. Unfortunately Rabbi Shemtov did not merit Getzys presence this year.
It is unfortunate, since Getzy has become a sought after speaker and orator in Chabad. Bezras Hashem, Getzy will find time between his flying, speaking and articles to light the national menorah next year!
Sholom
This is a bad month for the Shemtovs. Chanina Sperlin and the Cunins were at the Obama Chanukah party. To the Philadelphia/DC father son duo, that’s a chilul Lubavitch.
like it
I apprecite what he is trying to say
???
” “you honor not only to influence the past, but to influence the future.”
-the rebbe
Didnt alan dershowitz qoute the rebbe as saying such?
therapist
Sholom, u need therapy. Were you not hugged enough as a kid?
Ben Wilson
Great peice, Getzy! Couldn’t agree with you more.