Most of you have probably heard about the Menorah versus X-Mas tree controversy at the Seattle airport. Tempers have flared and stories have been tossed back and forth with such frenzy, that it is hard to know which action provoked which reaction, since the media seems to be representing hearsay as fact (or is that hearsay as well). In this blog, I am not attempting to try to sort out what really happened, although I intend to give some defense for Rabbi Bogomilsky,which has been rarely heard in the news. I would also like to discuss the reason why we publicize the miracle of Chanukah and why it is so important to us to have a publicly displayed menorah.
First of all, one misconception that should be cleared up, is that Rabbi Bogomilsky certainly did not request that the X-mas tree should be taken down. I have this from a source very close to the Rabbi’s family. All he was requesting was that a Chanukah menorah should be placed next to the tree, side by side, not one symbol instead of another. His lawyer did discuss legal action, but it was only because he felt that the authorities were practicing religious discrimination by not allowing the menorah to be placed up and not because they refused to take down the tree, as was erroneously (and maliciously) reported by the press using such misleading headlines as “Rabbi Threatens Lawsuit; Christmas Trees Removed.”
First of all, for the Rabbi to have threatened a lawsuit if the authorities refused to take down the X-mas trees is absurd! Who would have a right to remove another person’s religious symbol in a country that defends religious freedom! (the secular aspect of the menorah and the X-mas tree are reasons why they can be displayed in the first place, but that is another issue). What would be the rabbi’s argument for doing such a thing? He felt oppressed by the presence of the trees? They aren’t, after all, hate symbols or swastikas. No reasonable person would take such action or make such an argument, and the Rabbi was only asking that a menorah should be put up, not that the X-mas tree should be taken down.
The second issue is why this means so much to us as Jews. It is part of the commandment to light a menorah not only to kindle the flame in our homes, but to publicize the miracle. We are supposed to put menorahs close to windows or doors for the world to see. To have giant menorahs in public squares is fulfilling the commandment. We are not telling everyone to be Jewish or trying to proselytize by doing such a thing. When the holy Temple stood, it was a Temple for everyone; non-Jews also brought sacrifices. The miracle G-d performed at the temple is a miracle for the entire world, which is why we publicize the miracle for everyone to see.
Happy Chanukah everyone!
And have a good Shabbat.