Hanukkah begins at sundown Tuesday
Posted December 20, 2011 11:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – Jewish people around the world will light the first candle at sundown Tuesday to usher in Hanukkah — the eight-day “Festival of Lights.”
The holiday celebrates the miracle of one day’s worth of consecrated oil fueling the eternal light in the temple for eight days.
That was enough time to procure more and rekindle the flame, more than 22 centuries ago.
“The menorah is traditionally kindled at the door, at the window,” said Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, the spiritual leader and founder of Chabad Flamingo Synagogue in Thornhill, Ont.
Food is a big part of the celebration, so it’s common to eat fried foods like latkes, which are potato pancakes.
“And we also commemorate the miracle of the oil by eating oily foods. I can’t tell you it’s good for your diet, but they taste wonderful,” he said.
Hanukkah ends on Dec 28.
Menorah-lighting ceremonies are being held across the GTA to mark the occasion.
Below is a list of some events:
- Dec. 20 – 3:30 p.m.
- Dec. 21 – 5:30 p.m.
- Dec. 22 – 5:30 p.m.
Menorah lighting with Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and members of council, Vaughan City Hall (multipurpose room, level 100), 2141 Major Mackenzie Dr., Vaughan
Menorah lighting at York Regional Police #4 district headquarters (community room), 2700 Rutherford Rd., Vaughan
Menorah lighting at York Regional Police #2 district headquarters (community room), 171 Major Mackenzie Dr., Richmond Hill
