Posted on 12/13/20
President Rivlin to his neighbors:
“Recently, when we have been forced to remain at home, we have learned the importance of good neighborliness. We have learned about the mutual responsibility we need. I know that I am not always an easy neighbor. Sometimes, there’s noise, sometimes the traffic is a problem, but you are wonderful neighbors.”
For his last Chanukah at Beit HaNasi, President Rivlin this evening, Sunday 13 December / 27 Kislev, lit candles for the fourth night of the holiday together with his neighbors on Rehov HaNasi, inviting them out onto the street and their balconies to join him.
Over the last few days, the team at Beit HaNasi has tried to get to every resident of the street. Because of security considerations, Beit HaNasi was unable to publicize the candle-lighting ahead of time, and so tried to make contact personally by knocking on each door. The neighbors, who already met the president and his late wife Nechama ז"ל on the first Purim holiday of the term of office when they distributed mishloach manot packages, were also very happy this time.
“I know that I am not always an easy neighbor. Sometimes, there’s noise, sometimes the traffic is a problem, but you are wonderful neighbors. Recently, when we have been forced to remain at home, we have learned the importance of good neighborliness. We have learned about the mutual responsibility we need.” The president noted that this is his last Chanuka at Beit HaNasi and thanked them for years of good neighborly relations.
“In a few months, I am going to ‘vacate the property’ and let a new tenant live at Beit HaNasi. Thank you for some wonderful years as good neighbors.” He ended his remarks with a prayer for better, healthier times ahead, saying “On Chanukah, we put our chanukiah on the windowsill so that the miracle will be reflected. To pass on, by word of mouth, to bystanders and neighbors the story of the miracle of Chanukah. This year, we are hoping for another miracle, for signs and wonders in the field of health, but also for our society, economy and politics. May we soon know a welcome return to normality, a time of peace, stability, growth and light,” said the president at the end of his remarks.
