Euroasian Jewish News

Petro Poroshenko congratulates Ukrainian Jews on Hanukkah

Head of the Ukrainian state Petro Poroshenko congratulated the Ukrainian Jews on the holiday of Hanukkah. His press service reported this quoting him.

'This holiday is related to the triumph of kindness and faith, which are so necessary today, when our freedom-loving people and its integer part - the Jewish community - demostrate the entire world resilience and courage in the struggle against the Russian aggression, for the independence, unity and prosperity of the Ukrainian nation', Poroshenko said.

Hanukkah is one of the greatest Jewish holidays, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a Hanukkah menorah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles.

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