Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the successful Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The holiday holds importance because it celebrates the victory of the Jewish people over religious persecution and the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days, despite only having enough for one day. The Observance of Hanukkah involves the nightly lighting of the menorah, traditional songs, prayers, and various customs such as eating fried foods and giving gifts, all of which highlight the significance of the event to Jewish communities worldwide.

The story of Hanukkah dates back to the second century BCE, when the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, revolted against their oppressors to regain control of their Holy Temple. The miracle of the oil plays a significant role in the holiday and emphasizes the resilience of the Jewish people. In Canada, Hanukkah holds great importance for the Jewish community, who make up approximately 1% of the country's total population. While not a public holiday, Canada recognizes and celebrates the diversity of its citizens and their religious practices, which include Hanukkah.

During the Observance of Hanukkah in Canada, Jewish families gather to light the menorah, recite prayers, and sing traditional songs to honor the history and symbolism of the holiday. Families often indulge in festive foods like latkes and sufganiyot, enjoy community gatherings, and exchange gifts. Many Jewish institutions and community centers in Canada hold public menorah lightings, concerts, and parties to bring people together in celebration. Hanukkah typically falls in December, around the same time as Christmas, though the exact dates vary according to the lunar Hebrew calendar, reaffirming the parallel importance of the holiday season for both Jewish and non-Jewish Canadians.