Chanukah Lights Bring Pirsumei Nissa to the Foot of the Kremlin

Despite public event bans in Moscow’s central square due to the war, Chief Rabbi and Shliach, Rabbi Berel Lazar secured last-minute approval to continue the 35-year tradition of holding a public Menorah lighting at the central square of Moscow. The event drew a large crowd and was broadcast to millions across Russia.

A thrill of excitement ran through the crowd as the Rebbe’s image appeared on the screens, as he spoke about the role that everyone has, no matter where they may be, in lighting up the darkness, both physical and spiritual. The community chairman, Rabbi Baruch Gorin, who led the event, began by explaining the history of the holiday and its significance for our times, and the fulfillment of the Rebbe’s command to increase the light by setting up public menorah lightings everywhere, as is done every evening during Chanukah in hundreds of locations in Russia and thousands of places around the world.

In his remarks before the candle lighting, the Chief Rabbi of Russia, Shliach Rabbi Berel Lazar, thanked the authorities for granting permission to hold the event, and the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Russia, Rabbi Alexander Boroda, for his dedicated activity on behalf of this event. “Today we are lighting the Chanukah menorah for the 35th time in the central square of Moscow. This holiday must be celebrated so that people all over the world can see the light of the candles. The news of the miracle of Chanukah must be spread so that this lesson can reach every person” the Chief Rabbi said emotionally, and continued “Even one small Chanukah candle can dispel all the darkness that is in our hearts and around us. This holiday gives each of us peace, with the confidence that with Hashem’s help all problems will be left behind, that we will overcome all difficulties and see the light in the near future.”

He then called for action and requested: “This lighting is to publicize the miracle, but it is the duty of everyone to light candles in their homes and your privilege to invite an acquaintance or neighbor and to bring them the light of Chanukah as well, to illuminate their soul, home, and family.”

Although public events on the city’s streets are not usually approved during this period, every effort was made by the Chief Rabbi of Russia to continue the tradition that has been going strong for 35 consecutive years. Indeed, on the morning of the holiday eve, the special approval arrived and the community director, Rabbi Mordechai Weisberg, immediately sent out teams to assemble the stages and the magnificent menorah on top, along with screens and an amplification system, to allow the entire public to see and hear all the stages of the grand event, while also preparing the means and infrastructure for media outlets to transmit a live broadcast to millions of viewers throughout the country.

After lighting the candles, the audience began dancing joyfully, and from there the Shluchim and students of the institutions turned to honor the Jews of Moscow with the mitzvos of the holiday, as they do every evening of Chanukah. 

Photo: A. Prozhivino