This is the first day of Hanukkah in Israel today. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar).
In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews` 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods.
Yesterday evening in Moscow the first candle on Hannukiah Menora was lit by Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lasar, Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and famous singer Josef Cobzon.
Channukiah Menora is to keep standing on the background of Kremlin wall during eight days of celebration. To avoid possible incidents militia men are to preserve it all this time.
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