▷ What Day To Say Happy Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a Festival of Lights, celebrated each year on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. It is an eight day holiday that begins in the evening of the ninth day of Kislev and ends the evening of the 16th of Kislev. Because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, the date of Hanukkah varies from year to year. The main mitzvah, or commandment, of Hanukkah is to light a menorah or Hanukkiah at each night of the holiday, commemorating the miracle of the menorah in the Temple of Jerusalem. The Hebrew words “Chag Samech – Happy Hanukkah” are commonly heard during this period, and each year people exchange wishes for a joyous and happy holiday. What day should we say “Happy Hanukkah”?

For the Hebrew calendar, the days of the week begin on the day after the Sabbath and last until the Sabbath. This means that the first day of the week is Sunday, the second is Monday, the third is Tuesday, and so on. According to Jewish tradition, one should not greet each other with a greeting corresponding to the holiday the day before the holiday arrives. For example, one should not say “Happy Hanukkah” on Tuesday if the Hanukkah is beginning the following Saturday night. Similarly, one should not say “Happy Hanukkah” on the day of the holiday until after the lighting of the menorah. In many Jewish homes, a festive meal usually takes place after Shabbat ends and candlelighting is done, so it is a good time to start exchanging greetings.

Saying Happy Hanukkah on the Actual Holiday

The actual day of Hanukkah is a special day, and special greetings correspond to it. One should say “Chasimah tovah – Best wishes for good luck” or “Chag Urim Samech – a joyous Festival of Lights”, both of which are appropriate for the day. The more common traditional greeting is “Chag Samech – Happy Hanukkah”, but one should not say it until after the lighting of the menorah is done.

By saying “Happy Hanukkah” after the menorah is lit one emphasizes the miracle of the lights. On the other days of Hanukkah, “Chag Samech – Happy Hanukkah” is acceptable as the greeting.

Saying Happy Hanukkah Before the Holiday

The general rule is not to wish someone “Happy Hanukkah” before the holiday begins. However, one may begin to wish others “Happy Hanukkah” once a couple of days before the holiday begins. Before this, people usually just wish that their project be “blessed to see the Lights of Hanukkah” or that they “see the Chanukah lights”.

Ending the Greeting on the 8th Day of Hanukkah

On the 8th night of Hanukkah, the traditional greeting changes slightly. One should say “Chag Urim Samech – a joyous Festival of Lights” or “Moadim l’simchah – Come with joy”. On this day, the traditional prayer service ends with a joyous singing and dancing, and emphasis is placed on the fact that the holidays are supposed to be joyous events.

In conclusion, while it is acceptable to say “Happy Hanukkah” before the holiday begins, one should wait until after the menorah is lit to say it on the actual holiday. On the 8th day of Hanukkah, one should change the greeting slightly to “Chag Urim Samech – a joyous Festival of Lights” or “Moadim l’simchah – Come with joy”. By following these guidelines, we can all enjoy a joyous and meaningful Hanukkah.

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