First Day of Chanukah in Canada

Many Jewish communities in Canada observe the first day of Chanukah, which marks the start of Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah or Festival of Lights. Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish observance that remembers the Jewish people's struggle for religious freedom.

Chanukah is a time for gift-giving. ©iStockphoto.com/MarkCoffeyPhoto

What do people do?

Jewish communities in Canada celebrate the first day of Chanukah on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar. The Chanukah period lasts for 8 days and is celebrated from the 25th day of Kislev to the second day of Tevet. The first night of Chanukah (or Hanukkah) starts with special blessings at sunset the day before the 25th of Kislev. Many Jewish people light the hanukiah (or chanukkiyah), which is a type of candelabrum.

Chanukah is a time for gift-giving so some people give gift baskets to others. Some organizations coordinate events, such as a Chanukah Party, for children. These events often include singing, drama, and entertaining activities involving the dreidel, which is a toy used for games. Many Jewish Canadians prepare and eat meals fried in olive oil, such as potato cakes, and different fried breads. It is has also been tradition for the Canadian prime minister to join in Jewish Canadians in lighting a candle to celebrate Chanukah.

Public life

The first day of Chanukah is not a nationwide public holiday in Canada. Some Jewish schools have their school vacation fall around the same time of Chanukah.

Background

Chanukah commemorates the Jewish people’s successful rebellion against the Syrians in the Maccabean War in 162 BCE. A ritual cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple occurred after the Jewish people’s victory. It is believed that there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah, is referred as the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights for this reason.

Moreover, the survival of Judaism over the many years is also celebrated during this period. The last day of Chanukah, which marks the end of Chanukah, falls on the eighth day of this period.

Symbols

The dreidel is a toy that is popular during the Chanukah celebrations. It is a spinning top with a different Hebrew letter inscribed in each of its four sides – the four letters form an acronym meaning “a great miracle happened here”. The hanukiah (or chanukkiyah) is a type of candelabrum that holds eight candles to commemorate the eight days that the oil burned and a ninth candle that sits apart, known as the shamash, or servant candle that lights the others. One candle is lit on the first night, another on the second, and so forth until all candles are lit on the last night.

About First Day of Chanukah in other countries

First Day of Chanukah Observances

Related holiday

• Last day of Chanukah ―Sunday, December 16, 2012

Other holidays in December 2012 in Canada

• First Sunday of Advent ―Sunday, December 2, 2012
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception ―Saturday, December 8, 2012
• Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster ―Tuesday, December 11, 2012
• Last day of Chanukah ―Sunday, December 16, 2012
• December Solstice ―Friday, December 21, 2012
• Christmas Eve ―Monday, December 24, 2012
• Christmas ―Tuesday, December 25, 2012
• Boxing Day ―Wednesday, December 26, 2012
• New Year's Eve ―Monday, December 31, 2012