Sunday 18 December 2016

Rabbi Steven Exler lighting candles at the White house.

From RRW
Here’s a clip of Rabbi Steven Exler lighting candles at the White house. https://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2016/12/14/afternoon-hanukkah-reception

1 comment:

Rabbi Ben Hecht said...

While I in no way want to direct these words personally towards Rabbi Exler, I still thought it proper to share the following comment on this clip from Rabbi Dov Fisher.


"Watching that clip, I was fascinated by the song “This Little Light of Mine.” It seemed that Obama knew the words to the song that the rabbi was singing, and I had not heard it previously. I was curious whether I had missed a Chanukah Menorah ditty while growing up. According to Wikipedia, here is what I learned:

Depending on the source, the song may take its theme from Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heaven." Alternatively, it may refer to the words of Jesus in Luke 11:33, where he said, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." Or, it may be based on Matthew 5:14–15, where Jesus said, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Little_Light_of_Mine"
Rabbi Dov Fisher


I actually had a somewhat similar reaction when I heard the song. I've heard it before but I didn't remember it as a Chanukah song so it somewhat through me -- and also found it interesting that the Obamas knew the words. The fact is that when my wife saw the clip, she responded, in somewhat dismay, with: 'why are they singing a Church song?'

RBH