Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Festival of Lights, as it is often called, is celebrated with the lighting of special nine-branched Menorahs, special prayers and festive meals. But what days is Hanukkah celebrated?
Table of Contents
When Does Hanukkah Begin?
Hanukkah is celebrated in the winter on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. Because the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, the exact date of Hanukkah changes from year to year. Hanukkah generally falls between late November and late December in the Gregorian calendar. It begins this year (2020) on the evening of Thursday, December 10th and ends on the evening of December 18th.
Determining Start and End Times for Hanukkah Candles
The beginning and ending times are determined according to a specific prayer called Birkat Hamazon, or the Grace After Meals. When determining the correct time range for lighting Hanukkah candles, Jews must take into account the time zone in which they live and the solar time. For example, the start and end times of Hanukkah candles in Israel differ from the time zone in North America. To further complicate matters, the start and end times also vary according to particular Jewish denominations and the traditions and practices of local communities.
The Eight Days of Hanukkah
Each night of Hanukkah candles are lit and blessings are said. On the first night, one candle is lit on the Menorah. On the next night, another candle is added, and so on, until the eighth night when all eight candles are lit.
Lighting the Hanukkah Candles
Hanukkah candles are lit at sundown. First, the newest candle is lit by transferring a flame from another existing candle. This is done with a special Hanukkah candle known as a Shamash (“servant”), which is used to light the other candles. The candles are arranged from right to left. The order of lighting ensures that the newest candle is always lit last. Each candle is lit in turn from right to left.
The Blessings Said After Lighting Hanukkah Candles
After lighting the Hanukkah candles, one recites a blessing. There is a special set of blessings that is said over the Hanukkah candles. First, a blessing is said over a full cup of wine or grape juice to bless the “fruit of the vine.” Then, the blessing of the Hanukkah candles is recited and the Hanukkah candles are lit. Finally, a special prayer known as Hallel is recited.
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival celebrated by Jews around the world. It begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and ends on the 2nd day of Tevet. It is celebrated with the lighting of a special nine-branched Menorah and special prayers and festive meals. Understanding the times for lighting the candles and the order in which to light them is essential to celebrating Hanukkah properly.
The eight days of Hanukkah are filled with special celebrations and traditions that bring families and communities together in joyous celebration of a long-standing religious holiday. As the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a time of hope, faith, peace, and joy that is celebrated and shared worldwide.
Related Products:
- What Days Are Hanukkah This Year?
- What Are The Days Of Hanukkah This Year?
- What Are The Eight Days Of Hanukkah?
- What Days Are Hanukkah Celebrated This Year?
- How Many Days Of Hanukkah Are Left?
- How Many Days Are There Of Hanukkah?
- How Many Days Are Celebrated In Hanukkah?
- When Are The Days Of Hanukkah?
- How Many Days Are There In Hanukkah?
- What Are The 8 Days Of Hanukkah?
- What Are The Days Of Hanukkah?
- How Many Days Are Hanukkah?
- During Hanukkah How Many Days Are The Candles Lit?
- During Hanukkah Candles Are Lit For How Many Days?
- When Are The 8 Days Of Hanukkah?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.