Hanukkah 2023: Menorah lightings in Israel, war, hostages

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins with special remembrances for Israel at war and hostages being held.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights and religious freedom, is set to begin tonight with special remembrances and celebrations planned to honor the festival in the midst of challenging times. Rabbi Levi Weinbaum of Chabad of Alabama emphasized that the essence of Hanukkah is to bring light to the world, particularly during dark times. The festival commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, Jewish revolutionaries, over the tyrant Antiochus, who had outlawed Judaism in 167 B.C.

Weinbaum explained that the Greeks did not seek to kill the Jewish people, but rather to prevent them from observing God's commandments, a pattern that has been repeated throughout history. The tradition of Hanukkah centers around the story of how the Maccabees, upon restoring the temple in Jerusalem, found only enough ritual olive oil to burn for a day, yet it miraculously lasted for eight days, the time it took to prepare a new batch of oil. This story is symbolized through the lighting of candles on the Hanukkah menorah, with the number of candles increasing each night until all eight are lit on the eighth night.

The message of Hanukkah, according to Weinbaum, is one of resilience and perseverance, signifying the enduring presence of the Jewish people and their commitment to bringing light to the world despite opposition. The grand menorah lighting ceremony for Birmingham will take place at The Summit shopping center in the Saks Plaza on Sunday, December 10th, including a vigil and prayer for Israel and the hostages being held.

Chabad of Alabama will be involved in numerous public menorah lightings across the state, expressing gratitude to Alabama and local officials for their support. Weinbaum stressed the importance of not being intimidated by those who seek to destroy the Jewish community, emphasizing the need to send a message of strength and unity.

The public menorah lightings will take place at various locations, including UAB, Birmingham, Homewood, Hoover, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia Hills. Security measures will be in place for all events, underscoring the determination to continue celebrating Hanukkah and spreading its message of hope and resilience.