The Giant Menorah at St Andrew Square is One of Over 25,000 Giant Menorahs to Light Up City Centers around the globe. Including London, Paris & Washington DC. The Menorah symbolizes a Universal Message of Religious Freedom.

Public Menorah Lightnings were initiated by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, known to many as the Rebbe, was a Russian Empire-born American Jewish rabbi, and the last Lubavitcher Rebbe. He is considered one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century .

The National Hanukkah Celebration & Public Menorah Display serves as a reminder to us of how fortunate we are, in this great country of Scotland, to be able to enjoy the freedom of religious expression.

On Tuesday 12 December 2017 at 6:30pm we will be organizing a Scottish National Hanukkah celebration for the Jewish community as well as people form all backgrounds and religions to participate in this wonderful Holiday. We will be lighting Scotland’s Largest Menorah in St Andrew Square Gardens followed by a reception at the Royal bank of Scotland. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh will be participating and Sharing his greeting to the community as well as local dignitaries including members of the Scottish Parliament and the City of Edinburgh Council. There will be live music, Doughnuts and traditional Hanukkah foods. It will be a wonderful family celebration.

The Menorah shares a universal message to the city of Edinburgh says Rabbi Pinny Weinman , “The eternal message of the Menorah lights has attained particular significance in light of current world events where the forces of oppression and darkness are ever-present. As we experience additional countries and entire regions being freed of their oppressors, we relive the experience of Hanukkah in our very own times. It is the story of a little light pushing away an empire of darkness, human sensibility defying terror and brute force, life and growth overcoming destruction.”

ABOUT HANUKKAH

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, recalls the victory more than 2,000 years ago of a militarily weak but spiritually strong Jewish people, over the mighty forces of a ruthless enemy that had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life, prohibit religious freedom and force the Jewish people to accept a foreign religion. During the occupation of Jerusalem and the Temple, the Syrian Greeks desecrated and defiled the oils prepared for the lighting of the Menorah, which was part of the daily service in the temple, and rendered them unfit for use. Upon recapturing the Temple, the Jewish people found one lone jar of undefiled oil, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight days until new, pure olive oil was produced. Ever since, in commemoration of this event, the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabra known as a Menorah.

To register for the event and for sponsorship opportunities please click here www.chabadofedinburgh.com/chanukah2017