Presidential Hanukkah

Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, asher
kid'shanu b-mitzvotav, v-tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Translation:
"Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, who makes us holy through Your
commandments, and commands us to light the Hanukkah lights."

When we look at the story of Hanukkah, we must go back to the Second Century BCE. At that time, the ruling power were the Seleucid Greeks. By 168 BCE, King Antiochus, IV Epiphanies had outlawed Jewish practice and had defiled the Jewish Temple by installing an alter to Zeus Olympios as well as sacrificing pigs.

The Maccabees; a small army of Jews rebelled against this religious persecution having regained control of the Temple. The symbols of Zeus were installed and the Maccabee built a new alter so that they could once again offer sacrifices in keeping with Jewish law. During the Third and Sixth Centuries, according to legend, a miracle had occurred at that time. This legend was recounted in the Talmud.

The basis for the eight day celebration of Hanukkah states that the Temple only had enough oil to keep one of its most ritual objects; the menorah lit for one day. However, the flame stayed alight for eight days until a new supply of oil could be found.

In recent times, Hanukkah has been celebrated by our First and Second Families. Donald Trump was the first administration to have family of the Jewish faith in the White House to observe Hanukkah. In 2021, history was made again as Doug Emhoff, Second Gentleman to Vice President Kamala Harris was the first spouse of a President or Vice President to be a practicing member of the Jewish faith. He had the honor of being one of the participants in lighting the National Menorah in the White House on behalf of Joe Biden and the administration.

This collection is to honor our family and friends of the Jewish faith. Happy Hanukkah.