12/28/2005
Jim Baron , Times staff reporter
PROVIDENCE - Standing behind a silver menorah, and in front of King Charles II’s charter for the colony of Rhode Island that represents "the first opportunity for religious freedom in the New World," Rabbi Yehoshua Laufer and Gov. Donald Carcieri lit candles to celebrate the third night of Chanukah at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
"The purpose of this evening is to pray for peace," Laufer, director of the Lubavitch movement in Rhode Island told a group of about three dozen children and adults gathered around the candles.
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"All good people pray for the return of our brave troops back to their families and their homes" and the success of their mission.
"The United States of America is the kindest nation in the world," he said. "We have a generous place to live."
Referring to suicide bombers who continue to kill innocent people in the Middle East and elsewhere, Laufer said, "their true battle is against the creator of the universe."
Such tactics, he said, "are the last gasp of evil to stay in power."
That kind of desperation on the part of evildoers, Laufer said, is evidence that "the world is becoming a better place."
Part of the symbolism of Chanukah, the rabbi said, is the victory of "light over darkness, of goodness over evil."
Taking part in the lighting of the candles, Carcieri said, "I can’t help but feel the wonderful tradition" that the ceremony represents and continues.
Thinking about the "trials and tribulations" that Jews have survived, Carcieri said they "know better than anyone" the horrors of terrorism "because they have been living with that in the homeland for some time now."
After lighting the shamash candle, the one used to light the others, Carcieri said "government is meaningless if it doesn’t have a heart and doesn’t come from the principles of what our faith bases are."
Having many children participate in the ceremony, the governor said, is a way of "extending tradition and extending faith" to new generations.
Also participating in the candle lighting ceremony were Eliezer Gromet, a geology professor at Brown University and Schmuel Dill, a leader in the Providence Jewish community. Once the candles were lit, everyone joined in singing traditional songs.
"By coming together and lighting the menorah," Laufer said, "we want to emphasize the fundamental unity and goodness which is inherent in the world and in every human being. Every good deed we do is like another candle lighting up the world."
The candle-lighting ceremony at the RI Statehouse was initiated at the request of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who taught that the lesson of the candles applies to all mankind: "by increasing in light and acts of goodness, one can illuminate one’s life, warm the soul, heal the spirit and bring true peace and light to all people of the world.
Jim Baron , Times staff reporter
PROVIDENCE - Standing behind a silver menorah, and in front of King Charles II’s charter for the colony of Rhode Island that represents "the first opportunity for religious freedom in the New World," Rabbi Yehoshua Laufer and Gov. Donald Carcieri lit candles to celebrate the third night of Chanukah at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
"The purpose of this evening is to pray for peace," Laufer, director of the Lubavitch movement in Rhode Island told a group of about three dozen children and adults gathered around the candles.
Advertisement
"All good people pray for the return of our brave troops back to their families and their homes" and the success of their mission.
"The United States of America is the kindest nation in the world," he said. "We have a generous place to live."
Referring to suicide bombers who continue to kill innocent people in the Middle East and elsewhere, Laufer said, "their true battle is against the creator of the universe."
Such tactics, he said, "are the last gasp of evil to stay in power."
That kind of desperation on the part of evildoers, Laufer said, is evidence that "the world is becoming a better place."
Part of the symbolism of Chanukah, the rabbi said, is the victory of "light over darkness, of goodness over evil."
Taking part in the lighting of the candles, Carcieri said, "I can’t help but feel the wonderful tradition" that the ceremony represents and continues.
Thinking about the "trials and tribulations" that Jews have survived, Carcieri said they "know better than anyone" the horrors of terrorism "because they have been living with that in the homeland for some time now."
After lighting the shamash candle, the one used to light the others, Carcieri said "government is meaningless if it doesn’t have a heart and doesn’t come from the principles of what our faith bases are."
Having many children participate in the ceremony, the governor said, is a way of "extending tradition and extending faith" to new generations.
Also participating in the candle lighting ceremony were Eliezer Gromet, a geology professor at Brown University and Schmuel Dill, a leader in the Providence Jewish community. Once the candles were lit, everyone joined in singing traditional songs.
"By coming together and lighting the menorah," Laufer said, "we want to emphasize the fundamental unity and goodness which is inherent in the world and in every human being. Every good deed we do is like another candle lighting up the world."
The candle-lighting ceremony at the RI Statehouse was initiated at the request of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, who taught that the lesson of the candles applies to all mankind: "by increasing in light and acts of goodness, one can illuminate one’s life, warm the soul, heal the spirit and bring true peace and light to all people of the world.
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