World’s Largest Menorah Lights Up New York City To Mark Start Of Hanukkah
Residents and visitors to the Big Apple may find the city a little brighter, as the world’s largest menorah was lit in Manhattan to commemorate the beginning of Hanukkah, otherwise known as the Jewish festival of lights.
According to WABC-TV, Israel artist Yaacov Agam was tasked to design the 36-foot-tall structure, which is located near midtown at Grand Army Plaza.
The public lighting ceremony featured live music and dance performances, and one candle will continue to be lit each night till December 26.
Hanukkah starts Sunday evening! Celebrate the festival of lights at the lighting of the world's largest menorahs at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn and Manhattan: https://t.co/2e1ocN6pNv pic.twitter.com/7qwPfGrRid
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) December 16, 2022
As per CNN, Hannukah often falls between November and December annually, during which Jewish families light a candle in a menorah for eight consecutive nights in remembrance of the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrians back around 165 BC.
The specific number of eight comes from the tale that when the Maccabees reclaimed the second temple of Jerusalem, they initially thought they only had enough oil to light the menorah for a single night.
Surprisingly, the oil lasted for eight full nights—a miracle that Jewish people across the globe now re-enact in their yearly practice. Head here to view the lighting schedule of the world’s largest menorah.
