Happy Hanukkah from the SMSH Family

Today marks the last night of Hanukkah, the joyous 8-day celebration of the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the great Jewish victory over the armies of Syria more than 2,000 years ago.

For those who aren’t familiar with the holiday, Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days because in 165 B.C.E. at the time of the Temple’s re-dedication, there was but one day’s worth of pure oil left to keep the Temple menorah burning, yet that oil lasted for 8 days.

The Festival of Lights, as this holiday is also called, is marked by the lighting of candles each night to symbolize this miracle. At nightfall today, the last candle of the Hanukkah, a special menorah for Hanukkah, will be lit, blessings recited, and special songs and games shared with family and friends.

To all those celebrating the last night of the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah Sameach!