Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the miraculous victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian armies in the 2nd century BCE. During the holiday, one candle is lit on the menorah on each night, and special Hanukkah foods like sufganiyot (doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) are served. But how do you know when Hanukkah starts?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which can fall in either November or December. The holiday is observed for eight days, which means that the dates fluctuate from year to year. The dates also differ according to whether or not you are celebrating according to the Hebrew calendar or the Gregorian calendar.
To determine the beginning of Hanukkah using the Hebrew calendar, you need to know the exact date of the 25th of Kislev. If you are using the Gregorian calendar, Hanukkah starts on the day that corresponds to the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar in which a new month begins on the day that a new moon is sighted, meaning that it’s slightly shorter than a regular year. This means that in some years, Hanukkah begins very late in December, while other years it starts very early in December. It is important to check a calendar to find out the exact date either way.
Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar chooses Kislev depending on when the new moon for that month is observed. The 25th day of Kislev is then calculated as the beginning of Hanukkah. In Israel, Hanukkah almost always begins in December, while for those living abroad, it usually begins in late November or early December. This method should be used if you would like to observe the holiday according to its intended purpose.
Gregorian Calendar
If you choose to celebrate Hanukkah according to the Gregorian calendar, the specific date that it begins may differ from year to year depending on the calculation of the Hebrew calendar. The holiday is calculated for eight days, from the 25th day of Kislev to the second day of the next month, Tevet, with the first night of Hanukkah beginning on the 25th day of Kislev. This can result in Hanukkah beginning in November in some years. This method should be used if you wish to have convenient yearly Hanukkah plans.
Knowing when Hanukkah starts can be complicated, depending on whether you use the original Hebrew calendar or the more convenient Gregorian calendar. To find out the exact date of when it starts, you should consult a calendar that provides you with both versions of the beginning of Hanukkah. With this knowledge, you can plan ahead and enjoy the Festival of Lights every year.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.