Rabbi Joe Potasnik told Newsmax on Saturday that Christmas and Hanukkah falling on the same day in 2024 is just another sign that Christians and Jews "stand together as allies."
Postasnik recalled being the chaplain for the New York Fire Department during 9/11, and when Christmas arrived a tree was delivered to ground zero. When a menorah was also brought, those on site noticed the Christmas tree was considerably taller and decided to make them equal.
"The Hanukkah menorah came. It was 9 feet high. A group of carpenters, all of whom were Christian, looked at the disparity in height and said, 'This isn't right,'" he said.
"They built a platform so the Hanukkah menorah could be the same height as the Christmas tree. And I think when you look at what was happening in America today and the fact that we are celebrating on the same day says that we stand together as allies," he said during an appearance on "America Right Now."
Host Tom Basile noted that the interview was recorded prior to the Sabbath and asked Postasnik to clarify the symbolism of lighting the eight candles on the menorah.
"Well, there's one candle that stands taller than all of the others, and that's known as the shamash. And the purpose of that candle is to light the others. And maybe that teaches us that if you can bring some light and love into the world to people of different faith traditions, you stand a little bit taller," Postasnik added.
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James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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