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Candle-lighting at the Western Wall Plaza for the Seventh Night of Chanukah

This evening (Wednesday), the candle-lighting for the seventh night of Chanukah took place at the Western Wall Plaza in the presence of: Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau; Foreign Minister Major-General (res) Gaby Ashkenazi; MK Rabbi Moshe Arbel; Israel Fire and Rescue Services Commissioner Dedi Simchi; Commander of Jerusalem Region Captain Nissim Tuito; Chief Rabbi of Fire Services, Deputy Captain Rabbi Chaim Pearl; Hospital department heads in Israel; and the family of Yehoshua Rachamim who passed away this year and was a veteran member of the Western Wall staff.

Rabbi David Lau:

“We are standing here and lighting the seventh candle.  In Judaism, seven is a significant number that symbolizes the seven days of creation and world nature.  We see there’s room on the menorah for the eighth candle since in the Temple, everything was suitable for the Jewish nation that is above nature – eight days until the brit, eight days of Chanukah.  We have been privileged and the Blessed be He has done for us miracles and wonders that are supernatural.  Even now, as we cope with this difficult virus, we wish that the Blessed be He will perform a supernatural miracle and end the pandemic.  We wish that just as He did for our forefathers in those days, so He should do for us in this time.”

Foreign Minister Gaby Ashkenazi:

“We are lighting the seventh Chanukah candle at the foot of the Western Wall stones, the place where hundreds of prayers are sent per day – for health, for family, for finding a soulmate, and especially for unity, peace with our neighbors, and particularly among ourselves. We are at the cusp of a new era.  An era that we have not seen in the Middle East for a long time.  I believe wholeheartedly that this is just the beginning and that we will see additional countries joining the path of peace.  Lighting Chanukah candles at the foot of the Western Wall stones takes on additional meaning these days.  We customarily say that “together, we are a strong light.”  These words are especially significant when we all need national unity.  More than anything, Israel needs to cut the chain of factionalism and develop a vaccine against baseless hatred.  May it be that the light of unity will be a lit candle that is never extinguished and we will be a strong light.”

Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz:

“We are here tonight standing in blessed rain lighting the Chanukah candles and happily greeting all those watching us from near and far in the corona ward, in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv, and around the world.  This is also an opportunity to say thank you to Minister Gabi Ashkenazi who as Chief of the General Staff expressed the IDF’s deep connection to this holy site and made sure to bring every soldier in every position for a significant visit to the Western Wall in order to connect to our heritage.  On this day, we light fire, but there are those here with us who make sure all year that destructive fire does not harm people or property, and for that we offer our gratitude and appreciation.”

Commissioner Dedi Simchi:

“It is a huge privilege to be lighting Chanukah candles at this holy site, in the name of all those who are the column of fire that walks before the camp, with determination, strength, and devotion to the lofty mission of saving lives.  This year, we mark ten years since the terrible disaster in the Carmel in which 44 Israeli citizens lost their lives.  The Fire and Rescue Services changed since then, became stronger and prepared for any scenario so as not to need further miracles.  The Chanukah candles we light are evidence of the fighters’ personal courage and of the national strength of the network that has etched on its flag fighting fire and defending the welfare and safety of the public.”

 

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