Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights, typically beginning on the 25th of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. It is a time of joy and celebration for many Jews across the world. Hanukkah is a time to commemorate the miraculous victory of the ancient Jews over the Greek-Syrian forces that sought to end their practice of Judaism and destroy the Temple in Jerusalem. During this holiday, special prayers, blessings, and foods are enjoyed. So, how many days does Hanukkah last?
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and traditionally starts on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. Officially, the holiday begins at sunset on the day before and lasts until nightfall on the eighth day of Kislev. During this time, rules for interpreting the Bible and the Torah are followed. This special holiday is also known as “the Festival of Lights” and is celebrated in different ways depending on the culture and tradition of the Jewish people.
The Meaning of Hanukkah
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees in 165 BCE. The Maccabees were a group of Jewish soldiers who defeated the forces of Antiochus IV, Greek-Syrian ruler of the area. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred when the Jews found only enough ritually-pure oil to light their temple Menorah for one day, but the oil lasted for eight days, the amount of time they needed to complete the rededication ceremony. To celebrate this miracle, Jews around the world light candles in the Menorah and say special prayers each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
The Traditions of Hanukkah
Each night of Hanukkah, families gather to light the Menorah and say blessings. After lighting the candles, families usually gather to eat special foods, such as latkes or jelly-filled doughnuts. Children also receive gifts on each night of the holiday. Gifts include chocolate coins called “Hanukkah gelt” or traditional Hanukkah toys, such as a spinning top called a dreidel.
Activities
- Food: Eating special dishes like latkes and sufganiyot
- Prayer: Saying blessings over the menorah candles
- Gift-giving: Receiving small gifts like Hanukkah gelt
- Games: Playing dreidel or other Hanukkah games
Hanukkah is a special time of year. It is a time to remember the miracles of ancient times and celebrate the traditions of the Jewish people.
Hanukkah is an 8 day festival and one of the most widely recognized Jewish holidays. It is a time for families to gather and celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days and nights while the temple was being rededicated. Each day of the holiday is celebrated with prayer, special foods, and gift-giving. Whether a child or adult, Hanukkah is a time to remember the traditions of the Jewish culture and to honor the miracle of the oil that still burns brightly today.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.