Presidential Message for 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.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Sources: The White House |