Second night of Hanukkah

WILMINGTON — Wednesday is the second night of Hanukkah — the Jewish holiday also known as the festival of lights.

The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem after it was destroyed by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BC.

Rabbi Harley Karz-Wagman of Temple Israel in Wilmington says the holiday is also a seasonal celebration. Like Christmas, it happens every winter and is meant to be both charitable and uplifting.

Rabbi Harley said, “[It’s] the season of the time when it is the darkest time of the year, when it’s the beginning of the coldest time of the year, when it’s the time where people are starting to feel kind of down. And having a really happy, joyous celebration this time of year is incredibly important.”

According to stories told to Jewish children, when the temple’s candelabra — or menorah — was relit it miraculously burned for eight days.

Hanukkah still lasts eight days and a candle is lit each night.