Just weeks after terrorists murdered 130 people on the streets of Paris, an estimated 6,000 people gathered tonight at the Eiffel Tower to watch the lighting of a 30-foot-tall menorah on the first night of Chanukah.
The annual public menorah-lighting at the base of the iconic Eiffel Tower—a decades-old French tradition—is organized annually by Chabad-Lubavitch.
The eight-day holiday began after sundown on Sunday, Dec. 6.
Before the event started, individuals milled about in the 50-degree weather—fairly mild for a European evening in December. Parents held young children, while others clapped along to the live music, waiting patiently as the crowd grew larger and the speakers became more animated. “Quelle joie extraordinaire!”—“What extraordinary joy!” rang out in the night air.
“Chanukah celebrates the freedom of expression, both individually and collectively. It demonstrates the superiority of light over darkness, of right over might, of hope over fear,” was the refrain heard over and over again. “Each mitzvah is a light.”
In addition to moving introductory speeches by officials, children recited the 12 pesukim {Torah verses) with verve. Clips were also shown from Israel of the simultaneous outdoor menorah-lighting in Jerusalem, as well as the celebration and lighting in Netanya.
The first candle on the giant menorah was lit by Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia. In French, he said: “For more than 2,200 years, the Jewish people have kindled the lights with hope in mankind and an affirmation of their belief in God.”
After the lighting, he added: “You see beyond the Chanukah lights, the first light that ushers in the possible. Earlier, my friend reminded me that I am the spiritual advisor for a ground army, whose motto is: ‘Anything beyond the possible.’ ”
His words were followed by a rousing rendition of “Maoz Tzur.”
In addition to the sizable crowd of local residents and guests, the event was attended by leaders of the French Jewish community, members of the Paris city council and representatives of the French government.
A guest appearance was also made by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who insisted that “good prevails over evil” and wished everyone a “Happy Chanukah!”
A contributing factor to the large Chanukah attendance is that this is a traditional year of Hakhel, a time dedicated to promoting Jewish unity through Torah study, and public gatherings and celebrations.
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‘A Particularly Relevant Message’
The Eiffel Tower event is one of more than 30 different public menorah-lighting celebrations taking place across the city and in nearly 100 in nearby towns. It is part of a worldwide Chanukah campaign set into motion in 1973 by the Lubavitcher Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory. Since that time, the public display of the holiday has become a staple of Jewish cultural and religious life.
Chabad-Lubavitch will set up more than 15,000 large public menorahs in more than 80 counties around the world in the next eight days, including in front of landmarks such as the White House in Washington, D.C., the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Kremlin in Russia.
“This year, Chanukah delivers a particularly relevant message,” said Rabbi Chaim Schneur Nisenbaum of the Complexe Scolaire Beth Haya Moushka school system in Paris. “In Paris, we very recently faced terrible attacks … intended to put an end to freedom of mind and opinions. In the historical times of Chanukah, the invaders of the land of Israel, the Greeks, had the same intention. But the Jews did not submit.
“They knew that light is stronger than obscurity, and that nobody can douse it.”

i cant find any info on a menorah lighting ceremony this year?
Merci to everyone involved. Makes me feel like singing Ho’aderes V’ho’emunah…
L’shana ha’ba’ah be’rushalayim ha’bnuyah.
FOR TRANSLATION OR SUBTITLES
OF THIS INCREDIBLE POWERFUL LEADING EVENT
The messages of each speaker are invaluable for now and the future days, weeks….months coming upon us!
I happen to understand the language and I feel that it is
Something unique and precious and will sustain people’s kochos and bitachon for the our current world matzav….
Who is charge and can pull that one out before the end of Chanuka?
He sits in Jerusalem and his net spreads across the globe
Behind the scenes
Kiddush Hashem
WHAT A HUGE KIDUSH HASHEM!
MAY HASHEM KEEP ON PROTECTING KOL YISRAEL
Je suis très heureux pour les Juifs de France de
voir cette grande et belle manifestation se réaliser
en plein coeur de Paris pour célébrer notre
Fête de Hanouca. Hag Sameyah ¡
What a magnificent spectical!!
Wow wow wow 6000 people. Take that you worthless terrorists.
Goodness will always prevail, light will always dispell darkness! History proves that we will always be victorious!
French Jews making me proud to be juif
he’s having a real good time, that Arnie.
Lol
Nothing like a dance with the lads.
BH
We want Moshiach now
YeChi HaMelech!
Great Job
Great job paris! It’s so beautiful