The candle-lighting ceremony for the sixth night of Chanukah took place this evening (Tuesday) at the Western Wall Plaza in the presence of: Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz; Rabbi of the Western Wall and holy sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz; Rabbi of Be’er Sheva, Rabbi Yehuda Deri; Director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Mordechai (Suli) Eliav; Deputy-Director and head of Family and Commemoration Branch, Arieh Mualem; Chairperson of the Association of Widows and Orphans, Tami Shelach; Director of the organization, Yuval Lipkin; Director of Youth Department, Shlomi Nachumson; Uri Keidar, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Dolev Keidar z”l; Eliya Asulin, the daughter of Shlomi Asulin z”l; and Uri Plaksar, son of Erez Plaksar z”l.
Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz:
“As a Jew and an Israeli, it hurt me to see the Western Wall Plaza almost empty during the days of slichot, and it hurts me to think of the thousands that cannot come here during our holidays. Some might see this as a sign of our weakness in the face of the virus. I see it as a sign of our strength, of the supreme respect our nation has for life, of our ability to mobilize around a common goal – to take care of our loved ones.”
Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz:
“Uri Keidar, Eliya Asulin, and Uri Plaksar – you are our guests of honor today. The Jewish nation sends you strength today and every day. One must take the light that is lit here at the Western Wall Plaza and spread it around the world. This is a chance to thank you, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister, for the government’s decision to strengthen the development of the Western Wall Plaza and bring soldiers and students here even during this difficult time. We all hope that we not only see the light at the end of the tunnel, but that we see a great light in the heart of the Jewish nation and that we can return and be here at the Western Wall Plaza together – people from all over the world.”
Rabbi of Be’er Sheva, Rabbi Yehuda Deri:
“We are privileged to be lighting candles on Erev Rosh Chodesh Tevet so close to the site of the miracle in the Temple. This is the place the entire world looks toward. This place is the pride of Israel. It is the heart of the entire Jewish nation in the world, and we must be united around it and spread light from it.”
Chairperson of the Association of IDF Widows and Orphans, Tami Shelach:
“A bit of light dispels a lot of the darkness. It is customary to mention this on Chanukah. And I add that the light and hope emanating from the widows and orphans who draw strength and continue to grow and to love, illuminates all of us and gives us tremendous strength. I pray that we know only good days full of light.”
