Lewis Is Wrong to Ban Menorahs

The recent ban on the use of menorahs in student dormitory rooms violates undergraduates' religious freedom. Individual students have the right under American law to observe their respective religions freely, so long as their practice of it does not violate that law. The Jewish tradition of lighting menorahs on Hanukkah falls well within this realm. Such has been the rationale behind University policy until now. A few weeks ago, Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 took it upon himself to subjugate religious freedom to fire safety.

Earlier this year, a first-year student metamorphosed her three-hole punch into a menorah and proceeded to leave the newfangled contraption unattended after lighting it. Such irresponsible behavior sparked a dangerous fire. From this instance and a more minor one this year, as well as one per year for many years back, originates a decision to ban menorah use. Students are no longer to be trusted with their precious ritual our of a concern for fire safety. Our problem with the menorah ban emerges not from this legitimate concern, but out of the dean's unreasonable response to it.

Lewis has suggested that menorahs be lit in public places; house common rooms for example. This practice is already in place and serves as a fine complement to the individual lightings for those students who wish to participate in the group ceremonies. But for a third party to dictate to Jewish students that the public ceremony is the only way to satisfy their religious requirements is wrong. Religion in America is first and foremost a private matter. Menorah lighting is a personal statement. By changing the lighting from an individual act to a public ceremony, the very nature of menorah lighting is changed.

There are many ways to work toward a fire-free campus environment without banning menorahs in student dorm rooms. The dissemination of information is one very practical approach. Pamphlets on fire safety may be door-dropped to students. Hillel could be asked to offer a session on menorah lighting tips or to e-mail safety precautions to its extensive computer mailing list. More physical precautions could also be taken. Aluminum trays can be made available at house superintendents' offices or in the dining halls.

Besides the extreme nature of the menorah ban, it also seems somewhat hypocritical in light of other University policies. Students are currently permitted to light fires in their dorm room fireplaces, as long as the necessary precautions are taken. Many dorms permit smoking, an activity with great potential for starting fires, as was made evident in Dunster House before spring break. Further, each house and every new apartment on DeWolfe Street is equipped with a full kitchen, including appliances with definite fire potential.

These potentials should not be removed, but tolerated. A move to ban all elements of fire in student dorm rooms would rightly be considered authoritarian. We deal with many dangers each day because they allow for a better end. For example, despite the high rate of automobile accidents, many of us choose to drive cars for their speed and convenience. On the other hand, one could argue that we don't permit absolute freedom. For instance, we require automobile drivers to obey speed limits. We control for excess danger to society while permitting the maximum freedom to the individual. It is this personal freedom with which we should place our primary concern. In the case of the menorah ban, the solution to the problem does not allow the original freedom to exist at all.

It seems that Lewis has allowed his justifiable concern for fire safety precaution to outweigh First Amendment freedoms with the new menorah ban. Precautions must certainly be taken as intermediate steps between an outright ban and absolute laissez faire. But the current policy is hypocritical with respect to the legal use of other potential fire starters in the dorm rooms. The College is wrong to dictate the terms on which Jewish students may light their menorahs. It's time for the College to treat us as adults. Lewis should reverse the ban.