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Subscribe to RSSPhotographers are always looking for something to make photos of formal ceremonies a little better. The flying hat is just the right touch.
Mandel Ngan / AFP - Getty Images
A gust of wind blows off the hat of Rabbi Levi Shemtov (C), Washington Director, American Friends of Lubavitch, as White House Budget Director Jack Lew and Rabbi Abraham Shemtov, Director, American Friends of Lubavitch, look on during the lighting of the menorah, Dec. 1, 2010 in Washington, DC.
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That's not a hat, it's a UFO! I want to believe!
It does look a bit like a UFO, but it's not.
They said it was caused by the wind but I think they're wrong. Everyone knows that it was because of Obama not being born in the U.S. and he is secretly Jewish but speaks in tongues when he attends the local community charismatic church between daily prayers on his prayer rug in the basement of the White House while feasting on a delicious BBQ pork sandwich and swigging Boone's Farm. Besides, I hear that he's a closet Republican and they don't want the world to know it because no self-respecting country would deal with him if they knew that he rides elephants in the lush green forests of Saudia Arabia or Yemen. So, Happy Hannakuh!
@TW- all i have to say is WOW!
how stupid the Christmas nativity scene and Cross are objected to by many Jews-Especially if this is on federal land-this is a battle in the year 129?there have been many more signifcant wars,issues since then-try to put their energy into making a true peace with Palestians and Arabs-
my question is why is this OK but the ten commandments in courthouses and prayer in public schools in forbidden?
Great Question, I wounder if Obama, Gibbs or Holder are up for comment on that?
Hal9000-0, if you really want to know and are not being rhetorical with that question, here's your answer (@CBR, Don't bother our president or his staff with this one...all you have to do is read about it.)
From what I understand... the Menorah is okay because it's a part of other holiday observances...the White House recognizes and celebrates all of the holidays with all of it's fellow Americans (in other words...we're not choosing one over the other, we're celebrating all of them because we're not really a secular country, and it just so happens that Hanukkah came REALLY early this year). I don't know if you've noticed but this is not the first time a Menorah has been lit at the White House.
In the Courthouse, the display of the 10 Commandments is okay IF it's a part of a displaying a selection of historical documents that helped shaped our legal justice system NOT if it's just there because people want to remind everybody that we started as primarly a Juedo-Christian nation. In the courthouse, the law of the land is the US Constitution and the laws of whatever state they represent.
As far as prayer in schools...Prayer IS lawful in schools provided that the prayers are 1. voluntary and 2. either led by a student or by a person whom the students invited (the invitation cannot come from the school or it's faculty members). A lot of people are REALLY unclear about this ruling but when I graduated high school, our very religious faculty members let us know just what was allowed and not (because they didn't want to stomp on our individual constitutional liberties even though theirs have been hindered on the job since as faculty members they are acting as agents and representatives of the state and/or US Government who is NOT allowed to "establish" or "sponsor" a religion.) Most evangelicals that I know have taken the law in stride since their opinion tends to be, "do you REALLY want just any body leading you in prayer?"
Hope that helps.
Yes it does help Maddi. Thank you for taking the time to explain.
Thank you! It's so irritating that people are constantly pointing to prayer in schools as an example of the government's hostility toward religion when the law is that the government itself (teachers in this case) cannot lead students in prayer. The ruling in question has nothing to do with keeping students from praying in school.
as long as there are tests in school there will also be prayer!
Although this photo is funny, it does bring a question to mind. I want to first say that I have nothing against the Jewish people or their religion. What I do want to bring up though is that its acceptable to light a GIANT menorah in front of the White House, but its not OK to display a Christian flag at a memorial.
You have to understand, the Jews are God's chosen people. Of course they get preferential treatment. Any Christian will tell you that.
What exactly is a "Christian flag?" And what memorial are you talking about?
I am only guessing you're talking about the flag issue in King, N.C.
The thing about war memorials is that not everyone who fights for our rights is a Christian. Now, even though you can't swing a dead cat in North Carolina without hitting a church, I'm sure there's at least someone who's a vet but isn't Christian.
The Supreme Court ruled that displays of Christmas Trees and Menorahs on public land (even government land) doesn't violate the Establishment Clause because both are accepted symbols of the same secular winter holiday season and not necessarily the specific religions of Christianity and Judiasm. Christmas trees are in fact a pagan hold over. The menorah is only a symbol associated with Hanukkah but it is not the only representation. The Star of David and the Crucifixion are still not permitted.
Bitin Dawg, Christians are the only religious group that has a religious holiday set up as a federal holiday as well. That is privilege, not persecution. Read the links I put in message #7 and learn that you, as a Christian, have absolutely no reason to complain. If anything, you should be fighting for my right, as an American Jewish veteran, to be able to celebrate MY holiday without all the guff I've gotten over the years, including from superior officers while on active duty.
Did you know the christian flag even has it's own pledge.
PLEDGE TO THE CHRISTIAN FLAG
I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.
Notice "life and liberty" is extended to only those who believe in their pledge.....
hello - there's a giant national CHRISTMAS TREE at the white house. so what if these guys get their version of that way out in front of it? religion is for weak and lazy minds anyway.
To the point where they care less about their Christ as long as the Jews are happy :)
But I can only imagine the hell that would've broken loose if some officials had tried to light a giant Cross in front of the White House...
DOUBLE STANDARDS at the national level in the US government - that's what it's called!!!
A Cross isn't analogous to a Menorah. It's comparable to a Star of David though.
A Menorah is on par with the Christmas tree.
Everyone has the right to their religion and belief. That's what made this country so special. What get me is that God is being removed from our schools and other public n private places. When I went to school, if you didn't believe or celebrate something you were excused. Now our children can no longer celebrate because someone else has forced their beliefs on this nation. We as a nation have become so afraid to be a christian and deny our Lord Jesus Christ.
Flag law (North Carolina)
The City of Raleigh, North Carolina passed a law a few years ago prohibiting the flying of any flags other than those of the U.S., North Carolina, and the city. Apparently this was done to prevent one neo-Nazi from flying a Nazi flag at his house. Some religious groups and businesses objected because it also prevented them from flying their church or business-logo flags, and I believe that an adjustment was made, at least for the religious groups.
Bruce Tindall, 28 September 1995
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-nc-ra.html
Apparently not flying any flag but the US/NC/City flag disallows for flying the Christian Flag. I'm not sure where King, NC is in relation to the City of Raleigh, but this kind of flag flap has happened in NC before, which is why I knew to google it... If they allow the Christian flag they have to allow everything else so they've banned EVERYBODY but the above named flags. It's unfortunate, but personally, I don't blame them because you have to draw the line somewhere and equality from the government is such a big ordeal and a necessary thing.
excatly freedom of religion. One student who's Christian or Jewish should be able to pray to the God of the Bible and Muslims, Hindu's and Buddhist's should be able to pray to their God's
Light a giant cross???? Who LIGHTS a cross???
Except of course the KKK on the front lawns of unwelcome black folks...
Are you trying to say you'd like to "Light a giant cross" on the lawn of our first Black President?
Absolutely... 100%... Everyone is free to completely devote themselves to the delusional, fear based belief system of their choice.
Well, that AND the ingenious foresight to create a wall of separation between religion and government..... and a bunch of other stuff that has nothing to do with religion, and everything to do with individual freedom and liberty...
How can you remove a God that is supposed to be Omnipresent? Well..... Anyway, I assume that by God, you mean "prayer"... and it is NOT removed... as Maddi-1390859 stated in post #2.3...
God/Prayer/whatever is also NOT removed from "private places" as you erroneously stated, but is, and should be absent in public places... If you want a giant crucifix on the side of the Highway, then you have to be OK with their also being a giant Star of David further down the road, and then a giant Islamic Crescent, and a Giant Buddha, etc... that would be a really weird looking highway, but then again, very easy to give directions on... "go ten miles past the giant Buddha, and turn left at the giant Crucifix.... you can't miss it.... really"
So... you want all the Christian kids to get to pray once or twice a day (which they already legally can if they want to, on their own)... and I guess that means you also want all the Muslim kids in school to get to pray to Mecca 5 times a day as well, right? Fair is fair... you asked for God, and prayer in schools, but you didn't specify which God... Can the Goth kids also pray to the dark lord Kthulu?
Ummm... Your kids can celebrate whatever they want to... Or have you banned God from your home? If you have God and prayer in your home, and also in your place of worship.... then howsabout we leave the shools alone for learning and educating the kids, OK? You know, what they were designed to do...? You can't pray your way to a Masters Degree....
WHO has forced their beliefs on this nation? Because if ANYONE can be accused of trying to infiltrate our government and influence policy and laws, with their beliefs....it is the Religious right wing.
I'm not "afraid" to be a Christian... I SIMPLY CHOSE to stop being one.... Once I became old enough to think for myself, and see through the smoke and mirrors...
Slow down.... he's YOUR lord, not mine.... To me he was simply a wise, and great teacher... but a human one.... not a divinity... And I'm not alone in that thought... Many of our founding fathers were Deists... They believed in "A" God, but not the fire and brimstone, virgin births, miracles and meddling in the lives and affairs of men, kind of "God"... I can respect and admire Jesus, and not feel compelled to worship him, thank you very much.
What are you guys even talking about, pretty sure there is a White House Christmas tree too...
Yes there is. It just didn't make the big photo spread news like the Menorah on a windy day picture did.
Sad to see the Whitehouse (that was founded on Christian principals) follow other religions like Islam. They are so quick to embrace other religions and showcase them but don't want to do anything with Christianity. It is a Christian country that gave Obama the privileges to study. He would never have had this chance in an Islamic country under a single mother. Also no Islamic country allows people to worship Christianity freely. Very one sided when the Islamists ask for freedom of religion in the name of peace but like to forget that there isn't peace or freedom for other religions to be practices in an Islamic country. Women do not have freedoms either.
Uh, John, this country is NOT a Christian country. The Founding Fathers were Deists. The American Revolution was financed by a Jew who was permitted to die a pauper as a way of this country saying "thank you."
So quick eh? The "National Menorah" has only been around since 1979. The "Christian" National Christmas Tree, since 1923.
While I see your point about Islamists, I fail to see how a group of Muslims here asking for something correlates with a group of Muslims overseas reciprocating. We're American... you know. "land of the free?" Over there, not so much. But I'm not going to put the blame for the failures of foreign governments to protect or provide for Christians overseas, on Muslims here in the U.S. That's a cop out.
Cry me a river! The White House has ALWAYS had a Menorah. The fact that Hanukkah came at the beginning of the month instead of the middle or the end is making a whole lot of people nut up about it. This has nothing to do with President Obama. He's not a Muslim and he's not out to get us so please get over yourselves. And by the way, Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends.
Maddi, there has NOT always been a menorah. Show me where there was a menorah in 1923. THERE WASN'T!
I tell you - I'm sort of tired of people complaining when a non-Christian holiday gets some press. The White House is completely decorated with Christmas trees. There is an exhibit across from the White House of decorated Christmas trees from every state in the union. Yet when another holiday is recognized, people go into a tizzy. Well, read these two links and then consider your words:
http://ebonypearl.livejournal.com/808533.html
http://ebonypearl.livejournal.com/809442.html
I find this extremely offensive.
But it's OK to have a White House Christmas tree, is that it? Your religion and yours only? Now how Christ-like is that?
The Christmas tree is only marginally religious, and some Christians avoid it altogether, because of its Pagan origins. It is more connected to "secular Christmas" than to religious Christmas. Plenty of people celebrate with trees, wreaths, Santas, etc., who give no thought to the birth of Christ. The menorah IS a religious symbol that has for centuries, symbolised Judaism, just as the cross symbolises Christianity, and it is specifically connected to a religious celebration at this time of year. The menorah isn't used in a secular manner. I have no problem with either menorah or tree being displayed, but there is a difference.
Is this something new?
Have I missed the lighting of the menorah at the White House the last 30 years?
Are the Jews taking over everything - TV, movies, NPR, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros before it collapsed, New York State, Bill Clinton, Hilliary Clinton, the democratic party, national news outlets, banking, the Supreme Court.
Here's how the world works:
The Chinese own everything, but pay for nothing.
The Arabs pay for everything, but own nothing.
The Jews run everything, pay for nothing and own nothing.
The Americans... well, they want, want, want....
I'm just kidding of course... Why so serious?
Right on target!!!
Yes you've missed the WH lighting of the Menorah for the past 30 years.
Mike-583206: That's the funniest comment I've read here in long time. Thanks.
The White House menorah lighting does not always get the press of the White House Christmas tree lighting, so it's possible a lot of people don't even know about it.
Christianity is nothing but a jewish cult.....they worship the god of the jews, but didn't like the book the jews already had so they wrote a sequel and then call themselves gods own people.....
(disclaimer.....im jewish)
That is pretty spot on too! and I'm Christian! Episcopal no less, but always willing to make fun of myself! LOL
And "America" is nothing but a British cult. We worship the same ideals that are enshrined in Magna Carta, but didn't like the "book" the Brits were using, so we wrote a sequel called the "Constitution" and call ourselves (well, some of us) God's own people.
Everyone is talking about religion.... What I want to know is, who decided this was safe? Those lifts aren't designed for high wind. My friend's brother just died at Notre Dame last month for being on one of those things when it was windy and he was blown over.
Don't worry I'm sure Obama has OSHA on the job! Wouldn't want to miss the oppertunity for some job stimulation now would he?
Thats what I was thinking. Looks like a lot of people on one lift.
There is a Christian flag?
Apparently for many of the people posting here it is the swastika.
Are the Jews taking over everything - TV, movies, NPR, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros before it collapsed, New York State, Bill Clinton, Hilliary Clinton, the democratic party, national news outlets, banking, the Supreme Court.
What a stupid thing to say.
Rapid City, South Dakota
Could be that's Rabbi Shem-Tov's son.
Why can't everybody enjoy the holidays and respect each others religious beliefs and let them live in peace.
I am Jewish, and when I was growing up and in public school, during the holiday season, there were many Christian songs and when we sang the songs, I sang along because I believed and still do that this is a holiday season of joy and great humanity towards each other. Everyone, stop fighting, stop demoralizing, start showing love and care for each other. Life is short. Enjoy it.
Nicely said.
And seconded.
I agree with you Ed, but unfortunately in this competitive world, everyone needs to believe that "their" God is greater then the others'. Come judgement day I guess we will find out who is right. Shouldn't be long now, otherwise humans will probably destroy themselves and the planet and there will not be anyone left to be judged.
True Ed, I wish it was that simple again but thats the problem our kids can no longer sing any of those songs and no more christmas plays.
Peace on Earth good will towards men...
(but only if they look like me, and believe in the same imaginary deity as me, and preferably also believe in the same economic philosphy as me...)
Most people care more about Christmas decorations, than about the Christmas spirit...
Love thy neighbor... yes even the one with the funny accent, and weird name... and the one that said "Hey, I'm no socialist, but capitalism may not work out in the end"... and the one who is an Atheist... etc....
First, this is a 9 branch menorah, not the 7 which the God of Israel declared for the TEMPLE, not the White house. Second, YHWH didn't direct that a 9 branch menorah be constructed, EVER. That is a MAN MADE symbol. THIRD, neother xmas trees NOR 9 branch menorahs have anything to do with the WORD of YHWH, the TORAH!
Eat, Drink and be Merry this holiday season, for you never know when it may be your last one to enjoy with family and friends.
Put aside the bickering about what religion is the greatest, and quit being offended over every little thing someone else does or believes in, this is not the American way. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, should't we all follow that rule.
Well said... Happy holidays...
Sad that a simple menorah being lit brings out all this hatred and antisemitism. The fact is there are Christmas tree lightings that dominate local television with hour long tributes and TV specials celebrating Christmas for a whole month. One tiny little article that made the national news for all of a 10 second clip generates all this hate. I feel like I'm back in Nazi Germany. What a bunch of disgusting people post their bull$hit on this newsvine.
The Rabbi on the right, with the hat is Rabbi Shem Tov - but that might be a relative. Happy Chanukkah
We live in country where the Government cannot inhibit or establish religion or the lack thereof. As a Jew, i am happy to see our white house allow for the presentation of a Menorah a Christmas tree and other alternative religious symbols. I'm happy to say that am proud to see the potential for any faith (Yes, that includes Islam for you isalmaphobes) to present themselves by our governing body, that gives us all the freedoms of religion.
To those of you who have "10 Commandment issues," I remind you that the 10 Commandments don't even exist without the Jews. It was OUR guy who went up and got them for ya!
omg! a Christmas tree and now a menorah, are they going to have the traditional RADICAL muslim exploding vest, too?
-TheBigSarge
No... they'll just blow up the menorah AND the Christmas tree.
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Kwanzaa, Paganism, et al
Whatever the reason - here's to the season!
Where's the cross, the Budha statue, and everybody else's icons to be represented?
The "Christian" "icon" is the National Christmas Tree, even though that's actually an ancient pagan symbolism.
The Menorah isn't on the level of a Cross and it isn't the representative symbol (comparable to the Crucifix) of the Jewish faith. That would be the Star of David.
I suppose next week we could do something symbolic of Buddha (the 8th is the day of enlightenment). I know! Americans can wake up and stop hating each other... wouldn't that be enlightening.
Why do we need this....Seriously...Im not anti anything...but I think the menorah is a Bit Much!
Have you ever walked down the streets of Washington DC at night? The more lights, the better!
You know the neighborhood has gone to hell when the guy that's robbing you at gunpoint is wearing a suit and has a Congressional ID badge...
So many antisemitic postings here, how tragically and potentially dangerously sad. Why can't MSNBC remove these?
What a wonderful event at the White House! Thank you for this photo, and thank you Mr. President, Obama, for this lighting. George Bush also celebrated Hanukah!