Last Day of Hanukkah in Canada

The last day of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, marks the conclusion of an eight-day Jewish celebration. This holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., where Jews rose against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

History and Traditions:

• Hanukkah Miracle: The central miracle of Hanukkah is that the Jewish people wanted to purify the Temple by lighting the menorah, but found only enough consecrated oil to last one day. Miraculously, this oil burned for eight days, which was enough time to prepare a fresh supply.
• Menorah Lighting: Every night during Hanukkah, a candle on the menorah is lit. By the last day, all eight candles are illuminated along with the 'shamash' (helper candle), resulting in a fully lit menorah that symbolizes the complete celebration.
• Dreidel Game: The dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side, is played throughout Hanukkah and especially on its last day. The game is based on a legend that Jews would study Torah secretly under Greek rule and would play with dreidels to camouflage their activity if discovered.

Activities on Last Day:

• Family Gatherings: Families often host or attend get-togethers to observe this festive time together.
• Special Prayers: Additional prayers (Hallel and Al HaNissim) are recited during daily prayer services.
• Fried Foods: Traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), which are fried in oil, are enjoyed to commemorate the miracle of oil.
• Gift-giving: While gift-giving is not historically part of Hanukkah tradition, some families exchange gifts each night or particularly on the last evening.

In Canada, where religious freedom is celebrated, Jews mark this holiday both publicly and privately with menorah lightings in homes and community centers across the country. The last day serves as a final reflection on themes of religious freedom and light overcoming darkness.