Miller Hill Mall Hosts Annual Hanukkah Evet

DULUTH, Minn. – Christmas may have passed on the calendar, but the holiday season was far from over at the Miller Hill Mall Sunday as they hosted a Hanukkah celebration!

There was fun, food, and festive spirit; all celebrating the 8-day long Jewish holiday also known as Hanukkah.

“So you know, tonight is the fifth night of Hanukkah, and we’ve got six candles,” says Rabbi Mendy Ross. “One candle over here in the middle, in the top, is the helper candle that’s used to light over all of the other candles. It has another meaning, we consider use of the lights of the menorah to be sacrilegious, and we don’t use it for any other purpose. We don’t use it to count money, or to benefit, to read or anything like that, so just in case we might accidentally use the lights of the menorah, we always keep on the helper candle, we keep it a little higher, because light travels the higher you put it, the farther it travels, so we put it a little bit higher, it will always spread farther.”

Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert also spoke at the event, emphasizing the importance of sharing traditions.  “A reminder that even in the darkest time, hope and faith can last forever. It also reminds us of the importance of tolerance, respect, and inclusion in our shared journey. Duluth is a city where all are welcome, no matter where your background, faith, or tradition, so rabbi, I would add that that’s why it’s important to light up the menorah, public symbols to learn about teach other and share in our traditions and our faith journeys.”

Sunday was the fifth day of Hanukkah and marks the day where more than half of the candles are lit on the menorah, representing the bringing of light into the world.