Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and has been celebrated since the time of the Maccabees. Every year during Hanukkah, Jews around the world light the Menorah, a special nine-branched candelabra that contains eight lights for each of the holiday’s eight days. But how many days does Hanukkah have?
Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days and nights, and it always falls on the same date every year; it is known as the Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. On each night of Hanukkah, Jews light candles on a special candelabra called a Menorah. For each night of the 8-day festival, an additional candle is lit until all 8 candles are lit on the 8th night. What Are the Origins of Hanukkah?
The festival of Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish army, over the Syrian-Greek army in 165 BCE. The Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greeks after their victory, the Jews rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem and cleaned it up for worship. It is said that the Maccabees could only find enough oil to light the menorah for one night, but miraculously, it lasted for 8 days and nights. This is where the tradition of celebrating Hanukkah for 8 days comes from.
When Does Hanukkah Start and End?
Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which usually corresponds to November or December in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Hanukkah will start on the evening of December 10th and end on the evening of the 18th. On each of the 8 nights, a candle is lit on the Menorah to celebrate the miracle of the oil.
What Activities Are Traditional During Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah, Jews often enjoy traditional activities such as:
- Eating Nosh. Traditional foods that are eaten during Hanukkah include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and kugel (a type of sweet pudding), which are symbolic of the miracle of oil.
- Playing Dreidel. Dreidels, 4-sided spinning tops, are traditional toys of Hanukkah. Players win pieces of candy or chocolate coins called “gelt”, which represent the miracle of the oil.
- Giving Presents. Friends and family will often exchange gifts on the first night of Hanukkah as a way of commemorating the miracle of the oil.
In summary, Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days and nights every year to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple and remember the miracle of the oil that lasted 8 days. On each night of the 8-day festival, an additional candle is lit on the Menorah from right to left. During Hanukkah, Jews enjoy traditional activities such as eating Nosh, playing Dreidel and giving presents.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.