▷ What Date Does Hanukkah Start This Year?

This year Hanukkah starts on the evening of Thursday, December 10th and ends on the evening of Friday, December 18th. This means that the first night of Hanukkah will be the night of Thursday, December 10th, and the last night of Hanukkah will be the night of Friday, December 18th.

Hanukkah, which is also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Jews around the world each year as a commemoration of a miracle that took place over 2,000 years ago. According to the story, the Jews were persecuted by the Syrian-Greeks and were forbidden to practice their religion. When they finally succeeded in winning their freedom, they set out to rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem. But, when they opened the Temple, they found that the menorah (eight-branched candelabrum that housed the eternal light of the Temple) had been filled with polluted oil. They lit it anyway, hoping that it would burn long enough for them to bring in some pure oil from elsewhere, and miraculously, it did and they got to celebrate the miracle of the oil for eight days. This miracle is re-enacted each year on Hanukkah when lights are kindled for eight days.

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, or The Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that usually falls in November or December and commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the year 142 BCE. Hanukkah is a joyous Jewish holiday that marks the miracle of the oil that was enough to light the menorah for eight days and nights. Jews celebrate this holiday by lighting the candles of the menorah, playing traditional games, and exchanging gifts.

Why Does the Date of Hanukkah Change Each Year?

The date of Hanukkah changes each year as it is based upon the Hebrew calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, which is why the dates of holidays, such as Hanukkah, shift each year. Additionally, the Jewish calendar is made up of ‘leap years’ that are an additional month in order to keep the calendar in sync with the solar year.

When Is Hanukkah Celebrated This Year?

The start of Hanukkah each year serves as a reminder the importance of faith and perseverance no matter the odds. As an old saying goes, “being a Jew means being part of a people whose entire history is a testament to the power of faith in the face of adversity.” On Hanukkah, Jews around the world come together to celebrate the miracle of the oil and the courage and commitment behind it that kept the light of the menorah burning for eight days, despite the odds.

The start of Hanukkah marks the beginning of an eight-day celebration of hope, faith, and joy that takes place each year in December. During this holiday period, Jews practice traditional customs, like lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and exchanging gifts, in order to celebrate the miracle of the oil and its significance within the Jewish faith.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.