Jews all over the world started celebrating Hanukkah on Sunday. A Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony took place at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue on Monday evening.
According to Jewish tradition, Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days. This year, it began on the evening of December 18 and will last until the evening of December 26, according to the Lithuanian Jewish Community’s press release.
A symbolic Hanukkah candle at the Vilnius Choral Synagogue was lit by the Parliament Speaker Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. During Hanukkah, the synagogue will be open to all residents and visitors of Vilnius.
“By lighting the Hanukkah candles every year, the Jewish community sends a message of light and togetherness to all national communities in Lithuania and Jewish communities worldwide,” said Faina Kukliansky, President of the Lithuanian Jewish Community.
Throughout Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, it is customary to gather, sing special songs, and have traditional dishes, such as sufganiyah (doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes). The main ritual of Hanukkah is lighting a candle on the menorah every evening of the festival at sunset.
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the subsequent rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem.
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