Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival of lights, celebrated with prayer, special foods, and gift-giving. The celebration is observed annually on the 25th day of the Jewish lunar month Kislev, at the onset of the winter holiday season. Each year, the exact date the holiday is observed can vary from very early to very late November, or early to mid-December. So what determines when Hanukkah is celebrated?
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Understanding the Jewish Calendar
The observance of Hanukkah is based on the Hebrew calendar, which is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on both the apparent cycle of the Moon and the solar year. Months in the Hebrew or Jewish calendar begin with the new Moon and alternate between 29 and 30 days in length. However, because the lunar cycles and the solar years do not match up perfectly, every two or three years an extra month, known as a leap month, is added to the year and the festival can fall anytime from late November to late December.
When is Kislev?
Kislev, the month during which Hanukkah is observed, usually falls in either November or December. The exact dates of Kislev can vary from year to year, because the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, and the dates of the Jewish holidays can consequently vary from one year to the next.
When is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah usually begins on the 25th of Kislev, no matter what day of the week it falls on. Hanukkah, like other Jewish holidays, begins at sundown on its first day and continues until sundown of the following day.
Factors that Affect Hanukkah Calendar Dates
- The Phase of the Moon: The exact start of Kislev is determined by the when the new moon appears in the sky.
- The Number of Days: Kislev is always 29 days long unless there is an extra, or leap, month inserted into the calendar. If that happens, Kislev may have 30 days.
- Leap Months: These are inserted into the calendar every two or three years, depending on the year, to keep the Jewish holidays in line with the solar year.
As the Hebrew (or Jewish) calendar is a lunisolar calendar, the dates of holidays can shift greatly from one year to the next. Hanukkah’s start date is always the 25th of Kislev, making its date range dependent upon the lunar cycles and the position of the sun. The Jewish calendar continues to be used to determine the dates of Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays in modern times.
Hanukkah is a fitting festival to teach about the importance of time and nature’s natural cycles, as well as about the millennia-old traditions that still carry on till today. It is a holiday that is not just about commemorating a miracle, but also about understanding the rhythms and events of nature and the power of tradition.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.