The World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah is proudly standing at New York’s most fashionable plaza, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, by Central Park, between the Plaza and the Pierre Hotels. The Menorah is lit on all evenings of Chanukah.
The World’s Largest Menorah sponsored by the Lubavitch Youth Organization was specially designed by world renowned artist Yaakov Agam. Yaakov Agam’s design was inspired by a hand drawing by the Rambam (Maimonides) of the original Menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. The Menorah stood in miniature on the desk of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who personally agreed on this form.
The 32-foot high, gold colored, 4,000 pound steel structure is lighted nightly with genuine oil lamps. Specially designed glass chimneys protect the Chanukah lights from the Central Park winds.
“The Menorah stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy, strength and inspiration delivering a timely and poignant message to each person on an individual basis,” said Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization.
The World’s Largest Menorah is serviced by three lifts a Con Edison “cherry-picker” crane, as well as two side lifts that lift the lighters to the “Menorah Heights.”
“The Rebbe liked this Menorah” Yaacov Agam said. The Rebbe also wanted this Menorah to be the World’s Largest. When there was a question of another Menorah the Rebbe said that that one should be smaller.
The lighting of the World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah is always the central event of Chanukah for the millions of residents of New York and visitors to the Big Apple. It is also a favorite with the International media who put the World’s Largest Chanukah Menorah in the center of their “Chanukah story,” bringing the World’s Largest Menorah into the homes of hundreds of millions of people throughout the world.
Addressing the large throng from the “Menorah Heights” before the lighting of the the Menorah Rabbi Butman thanked the Rebbe and he said “It is with the fire of the Rebbe, and only with fire of the Rebbe, that we light all Menorahs throughout the world.” The Speaker of the New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver greeted the crowed and expressed his deep desire that the festival of Chanukah should bring real peace the world over especially to our brothers and sisters in Israel.
Speaker Silver then lighted the Shamesh (middle candle) and made the three (3) blessings on the first candle.
Rabbi Butman stressed what the Rebbe said that we are “The last generation of exile and the first generation of Redemption and may these lights of Chanukah usher in the eternal lights of Moshiach.”
Do u know what time?
This is 7th largest Menorah’s
The largest is on Grand Army Plaza by Rabbis Hecht at whci the mayor lit. Incredible pirsumei nissa.
The widest menorah is in DC by Rabbis Shemtov at which the VICE PRESIDENT lit!
Also, all of these articles should NOTE THAT THE ORIGINAL BIG PUBLIC MENORAH EVENT WAS HELD IN UNION SQUARE SAN FRAN BY RABBI CHAIM ITCHE DRIZIN!