The Seattle Menorah Controversy: What is the Issue?

by Miriam Metzinger | More from this Blogger

15 Dec 2006 12:50 AM

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.

Learn more about Miriam Metzinger

Miriam is a freelance writer, a work-at-home mom and lives in Jerusalem with her two sons, Schneur Zalman (3), Yosef Yitzchak (6 months and counting) and her husband, Yehoshua, who is a rabbi and i...

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Jaime Egan (2178) 15 Dec 2006 09:01 AM

Nice article -- I didn't hear about this. You are quite right. I can't wait for Chanukah to begin tonight. We are going to the synagogue to celebrate with the congregation and then coming home for our own celebration. Chag sameach!! I wish you shalom during this joyous holiday!

Julie Gentry (5915) 15 Dec 2006 11:11 PM

Miriam, the crux of the issue is that it wasn't a nativity vs a menorrah. A Christmas tree is NOT a religious symbol (well, I suppose there could be a minute number of pagans who actually worship it, but I highly doubt the number is significant), so the whole underlying basis of argument is flawed. It isn't a Christian thing to put up a Christmas tree.

I'm glad you cleared up that the rabbi wasn't the one requesting the trees be taken down. The local news certainly gave that impression. Was he asking for public funds to put up the menorah?

It doesn't completely surprise me, though, that there would be controversy over ANY Jewish or Christian display in King County. Washington is the least-churched state in the nation, and King County is likely the least-churched county in Washington. It is, after all, the place where dead people, felons, and ghosts "voted" forthe current person in the governor's office.

Debbie LaCroix (334) 16 Dec 2006 09:30 AM

Good article!

So many people do not realize what a Christmas Tree is or isn't. But the thing is, it IS a symbol associated with Christmas. So many do not realize what it is like to be a minority. If any religious symbols are displayed, then I agree, all should.

Debbie

Sherry Holetzky (11404) 16 Dec 2006 03:15 PM

Nice job, Miriam. The press so often villifies people of faith. As a Christian, I see NO reason why the menorah or any religious should be disallowed.

I don't particulary see a Christmas tree as a religious symbol, and many Christians don't. I've never been taught that it represents anything spiritual. I guess because is called a CHRISTMAS tree, it is considered such. Either way, I believe people should be able to celebrate their faith and their holidays as they see fit, since it is a protected right under our Constitution. So many people claim the "establishment clause," but conveniently forget the "free exercise" clause that immediatly follows it...

Happy Chanukah.

BTW, can you explain the difference between using Hanukkah and Chanukah?

Debbie LaCroix (334) 20 Dec 2006 10:24 AM

The spelling of Hanukkah is preferential. :-) It doesn't make a difference which way you spell it.

Debbie

Sherry Holetzky (11404) 23 Dec 2006 02:50 PM

Thanks, Debbie. I've always wondered...