Dear Matzav Inbox:
The ad I am writing in response to is nothing short of a disgrace.
“Nes gadol hayah shom/po” is a phrase imbued with special meaning—recalling the great miracles of Chanukah, the triumph of light over darkness, and the revelation of Hashem’s greatness. It represents a time of spiritual elevation, of deep reflection, and simcha in the light of Chanukah.
Yet, here, in this ad which I am sharing with the Matzav readership, we see this sacred phrase exploited in the most crass, disrespectful way as “Es gadol hayah po,” used to promote fressing and food indulgences in the name of Chanukah.
Have we truly lost all sense of dignity? Are we so blind to the kedusha of our Yom Tov that we would allow it to be hijacked for commercial gain?
This is not just an offense to our intelligence. It is a total busha to the yom tov itself.
The phrase “Neis gadol hayah shom/po” is not some catchy marketing slogan. It is a reminder of a great neis, of the courage of our ancestors and the mighty Hand of the Borei Olam. To reduce it to the backdrop of a diner ad for a sandwich or a donut is utterly disgraceful. It mocks the very essence of what Chanukah stands for and reduces it to a cheap gimmick for profit.
What’s next? Will we see other components of Yomim Tovim turned into marketing tools, their deep spiritual significance drowned out by the noise of advertisements? Will this diner somehow figure out how to use “Teshuva, Tefillah Utzedakah” to sell some sandwiches?
This kind of advertising, the chillul Hashem you see above, is a slap in the face to every Jew who holds these values dear. This ad should be immediately pulled, and its makers should take a long, hard look at the damage they are doing.
We cannot allow this to become the new norm. It is time we put our foot down and say enough.
Sincerely, 
L. M.
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