Hanukkah has taken on extra significance this season because of the ongoing conflict in Israel and the anti-Israel actions on many college campuses in the United States, according to Rabbi Joe Potasnik on Newsmax Friday.
"Hanukkah says to us that you should not be afraid to be a Jew in public," Potasnik, the executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis and the chaplain of the New York City Fire Department, told Newsmax's "Newsline." "Hanukkah says, we fought this battle to be recognized as Jews, not just privately, but publicly."
But at the "so-called Ivy League schools," Jews are being harassed, he said.
"If they're wearing a yarmulke, if they have a mezuzah on the doorpost, any indicia of being Jewish in some places is a danger," said the rabbi.
Israel's ongoing fight is also vital this year, said Potasnik.
"We have in Israel what's now called the Oct. 8 Jews, the Jews who are standing up and saying that we cannot be silent in the light of that horror that occurred on Oct. 7," he said. "I do find that we have allies, but we also have those who suddenly became silent. We thought they were allies, but they said nothing about Oct. 7."
And when added to what's happening on college campuses, when people say they stand with Hamas, the terrorists who attacked Israel, "that is a sad statement of where we are," said Potasnik.
As a result, there are many Jews who feel too frightened to place their Hanukkah menorahs in their window, to observe the ancient miracle observed by the religion, but hide it inside.
"The tradition says to publicize the miracle," Potasnik said. "Be proud of who you are. As my father used to say, I don't care what kind of Jew you are, Joe, just be proud of the Jew you are. So that's the message."
He said he does understand, though, why people are fearful.
"If you can rip down a poster of a hostage, then what does that say about your concern for the welfare of the Jewish people," the rabbi said. "I think there are some places where Jews are really threatened, but we're going to continue to stand strong, stand with our allies. We have those menorahs in the public square and we'll have that voice loud and strong saying we're not afraid to be Jews."
The third Hanukkah candle will be lit Friday night, and Potasnik said that demonstrates the continuation of the miracle of Hanukkah.
"Anything beyond the one day is a continuation of the miracle," Potasnik said. "The fact that we have a day two going to day three says that we have a lot to be thankful for."
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Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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