Hanukkah officially started last night at sundown and to celebrate, Daley Plaza is hosting a menorah lighting ceremony to celebrate the season and the second night of the festival of lights!
The city’s annual Menorah lighting ceremony is taking place at the corner of Dearborn and Washington Streets tonight at 5 p.m. The Loop sets up a gigantic menorah for the occasion, as the Jewish community comes together to bring in the 8 day holiday.
The Chabad Center for Jewish Life has installed a menorah in Daley Plaza for the last 40 years. Dubbed the City’s Menorah, the beloved holiday tradition will resume tonight at 5 p.m. The massive menorah is 31 feet high, 18 feet wide, and weighs 5 tons in total!
The Jewish holiday, which is known as “The Festival of Lights” ends December. 26th at sundown. To kick off the start of Hanukkah last night, the dazzling menorah sat atop a caravan and drove throughout Rogers Park, the Loop and Logan Square.
Hanukkah follows a commemorative menorah lighting on the first night where the shamash and the first branch are lit. Another candle is then lit for the following 7 days.
The community recited traditional blessings and songs during the candle lighting at sunset – except for Fridays when the menorah is lit before the Shabbat candles.
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[Featured photo via: Chabad Center For Jewish Life]