When is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually falls in late November to late December. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. Because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar (meaning it is based on both the moon phase and the solar year), the dates of Hanukkah vary each year in the Gregorian calendar.

In 2024, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Wednesday, December 25, and will end at sundown on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Historical Background

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE, following the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. According to Jewish tradition, when the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple, they found only a small amount of oil left, enough to keep the menorah’s candles burning for a single day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights.

Rituals and Traditions

1. Lighting the Menorah: The central ritual of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, an eight-branched candelabrum with a separate holder for the shamash (helper candle). Each night, an additional candle is lit using the shamash until all eight candles are burning on the final night.
2. Dreidel: A popular game during Hanukkah is the spinning of the dreidel, a four-sided top with Hebrew letters on each side. The letters Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (A great miracle happened there).
3. Foods: Traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. These include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
4. Songs and Prayers: Special prayers, such as the Hallel and Al HaNissim, are recited, and songs like “Ma’oz Tzur” are sung.
5. Gifts and Charity: In some families, it is customary to give gifts each night of Hanukkah. It is also a time to give to those in need, emphasizing the value of tzedakah (charity).

Significance

Hanukkah is a time for celebrating religious freedom, Jewish identity, and the miracle of the oil. It serves as a reminder of the perseverance of the Jewish people and their faith, even in the face of adversity.