What does the Menorah symbolize?

Question

I just found out that where I work will not allow us to put up a Christmas Tree, but we MUST display a menorah. I don't find that fair at all because if we are forced to recognize one religion, we should recognize ALL religions. And another thing, no one I work with happens to be Jewish so none of us knows what the menorah truely symbolizes. Please, enlighten me...

Answer 1

It reads to me as though someone at the top of your company is trying to make a point and engender anger against anyone non-Christian. If you work for the government, then it makes sense to me that there should be no outward displays that would lead someone to believe the government prefers one religion over another, or religious people over non-religious ones. If you work in the private sector, then it's a matter of company policy. Allowing, or insisting that, a menorah be displayed and not a Christmas tree isn't fair and sounds very fishy.

Marty K is wrong about liberals being in favor of this kind of disparity. I know of no political liberals, or any fair-minded person, secular or religious, who would consider such a situation fair.

Answer 2

The menorah symbolizes the eight days that the Jewish people had light after the temple of David was destroyed. When they went to restore the temple after it was destroyed by the Romans, they found only enough oil for one day of light. However, a "miracle" occured and the oil lasted for eight days. The middle candle is called the shamas and it is used to light the other candles as each night is celebrated. This holiday is also known as the "festival of lights."

Answer 3

well the 7-branched one was used to burn olive oil in the ancient temple. the 9 branched one used on chanukah symbolizes 8 days of chanukah and an extra candle called the shamash which is in the middle and is used to light the candles.

and i have no idea why they won't allow a christmas tree. thats pretty backwards of the normal situation.

Answer 4

Understand that I don't know of ANY Jews who would agree with that, and I honestly believe that the sole purpose of such a rule is to invoke anti-semitism. It makes me suspicious of the company.

I would try to get to the bottom of it and I wouldn't put up with it.

I also know that it's part of the liberal/Socialist agenda to discriminate against Christianity in favor of political correctness.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorah Is a site that can tell you more. I have never heard of such a situation as you are describing, where do you work?