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From: mls@wxlvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Heat and light over a menorah
Message-ID: <366@wxlvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 09:18:16 EST
Article-I.D.: wxlvax.366
Posted: Wed Dec 19 09:18:16 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 21-Dec-84 00:24:07 EST
References: whuxi.203
Lines: 14


Thequestion that, I feel, should be asked is the following: is the placing
of a large Menorah in the spirit and law of the  holiday?  Since we are
told to display the Menorah in public view, the answer appears to be yes.
Yet, when we consider the relation with Christmas, it seems that this is an
attempt at equal time.  Thus, it may strengthen, rather than weaken, the 
relationship between Hanukkah and Christmas.  To draw a parallel 
between the construction of a Mikva (which is required of *all* communities,
even before the construction of a synagogue) I do not think is valid.
To sum up, I am not in favor of this form of showmanship.  If the Menorah     
builders want to strengthen observance, they should distribute Menorahs 
to PEOPLE who can then perform the mitzva of lighting the Menorah.  I
don't think there is a mitzva of seeing a Menorah, only showing it.
M.L. Schneider