DOUG EMHOFF✡ LEADS THE YOM TOV CANDLE LIGHTING
DOUG EMHOFF: Hello there, I’m Doug Emhoff, the first-ever Second Gentleman in American history and also the first-ever Jewish spouse of an American Vice President.
We did it! A Jew is sorta in the White House! Well, in the neighborhood.
The Seder begins when we light the Yom Tov Candles. We do this at sundown, in order to mark a transition, from one time to another. And it is traditionally done by the woman of the house.
But what better way to show the progressive transition of our country and our religion than for me, a man, to light the candles!
I now cover my eyes, not at all because I still feel some slight, very slight, lingering subconscious shame about being the first-ever Second Gentleman, but because I will imagine in my mind’s eye what this moment means for women, men, children, and everyone in our country and world.
EVERYONE:
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.
Praised Are You, Our G-d, who blesses us with mitzvot and instructs us to ignite the lights of the festival day.
