Hanukkah Begins at Sundown Tuesday
By: Evan Hoffmeyer
Updated: December 20, 2011
The Hanukkah -- or the Jewish festival of lights -- begins tonight at sundown.
Jews celebrate the holiday over eight nights by lighting candles on a menorah. It commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after Syrians were chased out centuries ago.
Tradition also has it that a candelabra miraculously burned for eight days with only one day's worth of oil.
The National Menorah in Washington, DC will be lit at 4:00 this afternoon on the ellipse of the White House. In New York, what's billed as the world's tallest menorah will also be lit for the holiday. It stands 32 feet tall and weighs two tons.
Jews celebrate the holiday over eight nights by lighting candles on a menorah. It commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after Syrians were chased out centuries ago.
Tradition also has it that a candelabra miraculously burned for eight days with only one day's worth of oil.
The National Menorah in Washington, DC will be lit at 4:00 this afternoon on the ellipse of the White House. In New York, what's billed as the world's tallest menorah will also be lit for the holiday. It stands 32 feet tall and weighs two tons.
