'The light will always overcome the darkness': Sask. Jewish community celebrates Hanukkah
While much of the province is getting ready to celebrate Christmas, Saskatchewan’s Jewish population is in the midst of Hanukkah celebrations.
The eight-day celebration always begins at sundown on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month in the Jewish calender. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish temple after it was ransacked by the Syrian Greeks in 2nd century B.C.E.
Rabbi Avrohom Simmonds told the story of its inception.
“They couldn’t find any pure oil with the seal of the high priest on it,” he said. “They searched and searched when finally, under the floor, they found one small flask of oil that was enough to burn [the menorah] for one night.”
It would have taken eight days for the members of the temple to get more olive oil to light the full menorah. So they lit it up for the one night.
“Miraculously it stayed lit through day two, day three, all the way through eight days,” said Rabbi Simmonds.
Now, those who practice Judaism around the world honour the miracle by lighting the candles of the menorah each night. On Friday, Simmonds and his family lit six candles on the sixth day.
The holiday is rooted in centuries of history with traditions passed down through generations.
Children spin and play with a traditional Jewish toy called a dreidel. Four Hebrew letters on it that say, ‘Nes gadol haya sham’ or ‘a great miracle occurred there.’
In Israel, dreidels say ‘Nes gadol haya po’ which means ‘a great miracle occurred here.’
Traditional foods like Latkes, potato pancakes and Sufganiyot [which are donuts fried in olive oil] are eaten during the festivities.
“In Hebrew, Hanukkah means ‘the Holiday,” Simmonds said. “But it also means to rededicate and to educate. It’s at this time of the year where we encourage and focus on education and rededicate ourselves to our values.”
Part of the education is teaching children how to steward money.
Through chocolate coins called gelt, Jewish children learn how to give 10 per cent of their earnings charity, a standard custom in Judaism.
“We encourage them to take that to help someone else,” said Simmonds.
Rabbi Simmonds said it is a myth that Hanukkah is “Jewish Christmas.”
“There isn’t really that gift giving,” he explained. “The idea is to share with others. Some people do give Hanukkah presents, but that’s more of a modern thing to come about and it’s perhaps influenced by the other holiday.”
Regardless of the holiday people celebrate, Rabbi Simmonds encouraged all to spread light and joy this time of year.
“The light will always overcome the darkness,” he said.
“It is our job to each do our part in bring that about.”
Hanukkah celebrations conclude at sundown on Dec. 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7155493.1734909734!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.