Hanukkah is a joyful holiday which is celebrated by millions of people around the world, and yet many do not know exactly what determines the start of the holiday. This article will explain how the date of Hanukkah is predetermined each year.
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. Kislev can fall any time during November or December, depending on the year. The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, which means that days are determined by the phases of the moon. It is not based on the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar that most of the world uses. Therefore, the date of Hanukkah changes from year to year. As an example, the first night of Hanukkah in 2019 was December 22, and the first night of Hanukkah in 2020 will be December 10.Table of Contents
The Holiday of Lights
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the successful Maccabean rebellion against the enemies of the Jewish people over two thousand years ago. According to the Talmud, when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they only had enough oil to burn the Menorah for one day. Surprisingly, the oil lasted for eight days, giving the Jewish people enough time to prepare more oil for the Menorah. In commemoration of the miracle of the oil, Jews around the world light up their own Menorahs during the holiday for eight nights, one light added each night.
Different Names
It is worth noting that the holiday also has different names; in Ashkenazic communities, it is referred to as “Chanukah,”while in Sephardic communities the holiday is referred to as “Hanukka.” Despite the different names, the holiday will appear at the same time each year according to the Hebrew calendar.
Starting from the Right Date
It is important to note that Jews around the world determine the start of Hanukkah differently. The dates for the holidays vary by sect and country, though all sects agree that the last day of celebration is the same. For example, Jews in Israel begin celebrating Chanukah one night earlier than Jews in America, because the Israelis start from the Sunday evening in which the holiday begins, while in America, it begins from the evening of the day after the holiday begins.
Celebrating Through the Years
Hanukkah continues to remind the Jewish people of the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over their oppressors, and continues to be a joyous and celebratory holiday for the entire Jewish community. No matter how much time passes, the festival of lights will always be remembered and celebrated every year on the same date.
Ultimately, the time of celebration of the festival of lights is predetermined by the Hebrew calendar, which is based on the moon’s cycle, with its dates appearing earlier and earlier each year according to the Gregorian calendar. As technology advances, it has become easier for people to track the correct dates according to the lunar cycle and ensure that the holiday is celebrated at the correct time. This helps maintain the tradition of Lighting the Candles on the Menorah each night, an act that has been happening for millennia.
In conclusion, the start of Hanukkah is determined by the 25th day of the Hebrew calendar, and the date of the holiday can vary from year to year. Jews around the world have different traditions and customs for celebrating the holiday, yet all celebrate the miracle of the oil for eight nights.
Related Products:
- What Determines The First Day Of Hanukkah?
- What Determines When Hanukkah Is Celebrated?
- What Determines Hanukkah Dates?
- What Determines The Date Of Hanukkah?
- What Determines When Hanukkah Starts?
- What Determines When Hanukkah Is?
- When Does Hanukkah Start?
- What Time Hanukkah Start?
- When Does Hanukkah Start On The Jewish Calendar?
- When Time Does Hanukkah Start?
- What Date Does Hanukkah Start?
- When Does Hanukkah Start Every Year?
- Why Does Hanukkah Start On Different Day?
- How Often Does Hanukkah Start On Christmas Eve?
- When Do Hanukkah Start?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.