With more than a hint of self-mockery, Haïm Korsia said that he literally "lighted a fire." Indeed, by lighting a modest Hanukkah candle in the Elysée Palace on December 7, 2023, the Chief Rabbi of France triggered a political and media stir of rare intensity. And, in spite of himself, he dragged the French president into a controversy that none of the two needed. "We have to keep our mouths shut," Korsia reluctantly said when asked to go over the incident.
For his part, Emmanuel Macron sought to play down the events. "I lit the candle of remembrance, the little red candle, which has no religious connotation whatsoever," he said on public TV channel France 5 on December 20. Korsia then took the candle in memory of the victims of Auschwitz concentration camp and he was the one to light "the first candles of a holiday which is indeed religious," Macron said. He then added, "Did I take part [in the ceremony]? No. [...] Had such ceremony ever taken place [at the Elysée] before? Yes. [Former President] Jacques Chirac lit the Hanukkah candles. Was I supposed to pounce on the chief rabbi, slam him to the ground and tell him 'no'?" the president asked sardonically.
The story reminded Korsia of a scene from the 1975 cult film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It shows Brother Maynard bringing the Holy Hand-Grenade of Antioch to the Knights of the Round Table, so that they can get rid of the killer rabbit guarding a cave. Monty Python plays on the contrast between the sacredness of the relic, cited in religious texts, and the widespread destruction it is meant to bring about. Korsia sees a parallel with the lighting of the Hanukkah candle at the Elysée and the turmoil that ensued. "It proves that we need a serene relationship with secularism," he said.
Around 100 guests, including rabbis from all over Europe, secular Jews and representatives of various faiths and philosophies, were in the ballroom that evening. The occasion was the bestowal of the Conference of European Rabbis' annual award to Emmanuel Macron for his efforts to combat anti-Semitism and protect religious freedom.
As they arrived, guests were surprised to see a small nine-branched candlestick on a lectern. During the preparatory meeting, the chief rabbi had asked for permission to light a candle for Hanukkah, the cultural and religious festival of lights beginning that evening. It was meant as a tribute to the victims of the October 7 massacre in Israel. Macron agreed. "What would the public opinion be if he had refused to pay tribute to the victims of the massacre?!" said the president's representatives.
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