Josh Peck’s Menorah Placement in a Sink Sparks Debate with Robby Hoffman
Josh Peck and Robby Hoffman revealed significantly divergent perspectives on key elements of Hanukkah celebrations.
"You educated me on a principle, perhaps a Jewish custom, rather than a superstition. It's considered inappropriate to extinguish the menorah candles," Peck, 39, shared with guest Hoffman, 36, on a recent installment of his "Good Guys" podcast. "You expressed dissatisfaction with my approach."
Hoffman emphasized that extinguishing the candles on a menorah is strictly discouraged.
"It mirrors the tradition of a Yahrzeit candle," she explained, referencing the Jewish practice of lighting a 24-hour candle to commemorate departed loved ones. "You simply allow it to burn down naturally. The legend implies a potential fire hazard from a single candle; the lesson is to respect the flame's natural duration."
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Peck mused that unattended flames likely cause frequent mishaps, particularly since menorahs are often positioned in windowsills adjacent to flammable textiles like curtains.
"My mother always placed our menorah on the stovetop, surrounded by aluminum foil," Hoffman recalled. "Aluminum foil is highly versatile; it's practically indispensable. It functions as a container for leftovers, a baking sheet, or a protective shield. Its utility is endless."
Peck, conversely, disclosed that his personal practice involves placing the menorah in the kitchen sink.
"Does that sound unconventional?" the Drake & Josh star questioned. "It appears somewhat concealed, especially since the traditional placement is visible in a window."
Hanukkah, recognized as the Festival of Lights, occurs annually during winter, commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by the Maccabees. The celebration — beginning at sundown on Sunday, December 14, this year — typically involves Jewish adherents illuminating a menorah's candles for eight consecutive evenings.
While Peck's placement in the sink might mitigate fire risks, Hoffman expressed reservations regarding the symbolic implications of the choice.
"I find the aesthetic problematic," the Hacks actress remarked. "It gives the impression that you are diminishing its importance."
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Hoffman was raised within a Hasidic Jewish background but has since diverged from its stringent regulations. Although she maintains her Jewish identity, she has introduced her wife, Gabby Windey, to these traditions.
"She is eager to convert," Hoffman stated during a 2023 appearance on Bethenny Frankel's "Just B" podcast, referring to Windey. "I haven't actively pushed for it. We don't require it. When people inquire about the importance of Judaism to me, I simply suggest the conversation is complete, yet she remains enthusiastic."
Windey, 34, also disclosed that she has received an intensive education in Judaism since their relationship began earlier that year.
"I receive Jewish history lessons nearly daily, which I now find completely engaging and fascinating," the former Bachelorette noted. "The cultural depth is truly profound."
Windey mentioned she has also been acquiring various Yiddish expressions from Hoffman. "I appreciate the numerological significance of 18. At the spa recently, I intentionally sought a multiple of 18 for my locker number, believing it might bring good fortune," Windey stated. "I'm embracing this new custom simply for the novelty of it."
