Hanukkah 2010 Has Giant New York Menorah

In celebration of Hanukkah 2010 a giant size menorah has been erected in New York's Central Park and one very large candle will be lit each night over the next eight days to celebrate the Jewish "Festival of Lights". Starting tonight at 5:30 p.m. you can see the lighting of the world largest menorah in Central Park in New York City.

Hanukkah 2010 is celebrated around the world and New York is no exception to this Jewish holiday celebrated by millions. The eight day Jewish "Festival of Lights" is based on the traditional Jewish belief of when the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple that had been damaged by the Syrians. They found a menorah in the temple and only enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lit the temple for eight days and the celebration of this event is now called the "Festival of Lights" and lasts for eight days.

The date for Hanukkah 2010 is pretty early this year starting on December 1st and running through December 8th. The actual date for Hanukkah 2010 is determined by the Hebrew lunar calendar, not the Julian calendar.

Tonight, December 1st, the Giant New York Menorah will be lit for the first night of Hanukkah at 5:30 p.m. The New York Menorah is approximately 32 feet high is gold and weighs 4,000 pounds. The Hanukkah menorah will be lit using genuine oil lamps and there are glass chimneys over the flames to make sure it stays lit.

Each night for the next eight nights another candle on the Giant New York menorah will be lit in celebration of Hanukkah 2010.

As is true with most holidays there is more to Hanukkah 2010 than just the lighting of the menorah. Small gifts are given each night in celebration. And of course there is great Jewish food. Potato pancakes are a staple and they are fried in oil and sometimes served with sour cream or applesauce.

Source:

http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/hanukkah-2010-celebrations-begin/19740012

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/01/new.york.menorah.lighting/