Hanukkah begins Wednesday night
Posted December 1, 2010 12:17 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Jewish communities will be celebrating Hanukkah starting Wednesday night.
This holiday, which is known as an eight-day Festival of Lights, begins on the 25th day of Kislev, according to the Hebrew calendar.
The celebration dates back to 165 BC, where the Syrian-Greeks seized the holy temple in Jerusalem. Eventually, the Jewish were victorious in taking back their temple.
Hanukkah is a holiday to commemorate the Holy Temple at the time of the revolt.
It is a significant holiday for Jews because “the rebellion was all about taking back their identity,” said Rabbi Harvey Meirovich from the Beth Tzedec Congregation.
“They were being denied their right to practice their Jewish identity, as they [Jews] understood it,” he added.
Over the eight-day period, Jews will light the candles on the Menorah and rededicate themselves to their religion.
“Many synagogues have a carnival type atmosphere. They have all types of games and they make things that are connected to the holiday,” Rabbi Meirovich said.
Traditional songs and games are not only a holiday favourite, but treats as well. No one goes home hungry. Fried potatoes pancakes called, “latkes” are a well-known holiday treat.
