Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an 8-day Jewish holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world each year. During this time, families come together to observe the holiday and celebrate with traditional customs and activities. One of the core elements of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a special 8-branched candelabrum. But how many nights are there in Hanukkah? Let’s take a closer look at this question.
How Many Nights Of Hanukkah?
Despite its 8-day length, Hanukkah only has 7 nights. According to Jewish tradition, the first day of Hanukkah is counted independently from the other days of the holiday. This means that those celebrating the holiday light the menorah for 8 days, but the festival itself is only marked for 7 nights.
The first night of Hanukkah, known as the first candle, is lit on December 10th of 2019. Following this, the second candle is lit on December 11th, the third candle on December 12th and so on and so forth until the 8th candle on December 17th.
Each night, families celebrate the festival of Hanukkah with a traditional dinner, custom songs and games. According to custom, menorah candles should be lit by the female head of the household. One the candles are lit, a prayer is said before the Hanukkah meal. However, while traditions vary by family, there is one common practice that’s shared amongst all.
The Blessing Of The Candles
Before the beginning of the 8-day festival, Jewish families perform the blessing of the candles. This traditional ceremony requires the participants to recite a Hebrew blessing thanking God for the Hanukkah lights. While the written blessing will vary depending on the religious denomination, the key components of the blessing revolve around thanking God for the miracle of the lights and asking for God’s blessing.
Conclusion
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is an 8-day long celebration that marks the rededication of the Second Temple by the Maccabees in the Jewish faith. Each of the 8 nights, families come together to light the menorah and enjoy a traditional meal. Despite it’s 8 day length, however, Hanukkah only marks 7 nights and is officially over after the 8th days candle is lit and the traditional blessing is performed.
Overall, Hanukkah is a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate a miraculous event in Jewish history. It’s a time for exchanges of gifts and a time for spreading joy and cheer. For this reason, understanding this holiday’s traditions, including the significance of the 7-nights, is essential in ensuring that the fun and spirit of the Festival of Lights is experienced properly.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.