The ceremonial lighting of the third candle of Hanukkah took place Tuesday at the Western Wall plaza, with the participation of thousands of people. The ceremony was held as a token of appreciation for the millions of Jews in Israel and in the Diaspora, and for those tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors who “carry the torch of life with their greatness.”
The Israeli government invited about 150 Holocaust survivors from around the country to the event, with the help of the "Dor Le'dor" and the "Lechiyot B'Kavod" organizations. At the same time as the Western Wall ceremony, ceremonies were held in New York and Berlin with the participation of leading public figures from the US, Germany, and Israel along with Holocaust survivors from around the world.
The Rabbi of Migdal Haemek regional council, Rabbi Yitzhak David Grossman, Minister of Culture and Sports MK Hili Troper, Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Major General Doron Almog, and Minister of Defense Benny Gantz, were all present.
I am inspired by the massive Menorah, lighted, standing at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and by Israeli jets patrolling their country.
— Bob Larimer (@Larimer1) December 20, 2022
Hitler is long in the grave.
Tyrants may arise, but Freedom and bravery will always defeat them.
Happy Hanukah to all freedom-loving people! pic.twitter.com/UEHENE4X8k
Defense Minister Benny Gantz was greeted with derogatory heckling from a man in the crowd, which caused an uproar. However, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation sought to clarify that this was an isolated incident, of a person who tried to provoke and did not succeed.
During the festive event, the Minister of Defense said: "In this holy place, and especially in the presence of the Holocaust survivors whose victory is not only the victory of force but also the victory of the spirit - we need to remember that spiritual and moral strength are one and the same. If we are only with spiritual strength and without the ability to defend ourselves we have done nothing, if we can defend ourselves but without morals and faith, we will lose the righteous way. That is why only the combination of strength and spirit, strength on the one hand and the unity of the people on the other, can march the people of Israel in all its parts, years ahead."
Several dozen survivors will also gather in-person Tuesday for a menorah lighting at Jerusalem’s Western Wall - the holiest place where Jews can pray - to pay tribute to the 6 million European Jews killed by the Nazis in the Holocaust. https://t.co/6KoF3YmtUr
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 21, 2022
The Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy sites in Israel, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz said during the event: "From here, tonight, the third candle of Hanukkah will be lit in a call for the unity of all of Israel. The Western Wall is the home of every Jew and Jewess in Israel, and outside of it. There is no other place like the Western Wall that symbolizes the terrible cost of gratuitous hatred and fratricidal war. Each and every one of the people of Israel has a place to belong. On this occasion, we would like to thank the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Culture for their great work for Israel. For the thousands of IDF soldiers who frequently pray at the Western Wall and for their tremendous contribution to Israel's security."
