Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival which is celebrated to commemorate the successful re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE following its desecration under the rule of the Greek-Syrians. Each night of Hanukkah is celebrated with the lighting of a traditional menorah, the eating of special Hanukkah food, and exchanging Hanukkah gifts. But with Hanukkah being such an extended celebration, each night of the festival might have its own special traditions and customs. So if you’ve ever wondered “what night of Hanukkah is it?”, then read on to find out.
What Night Of Hanukkah Is It?
The night of Hanukkah is determined by its Hebrew calendar date. On the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah is observed on the 25th day of Kislev, which is also the 3rd month of the Jewish calendar year. This means that Hanukkah can fall anytime between late November and late December on the western calendar. This year, Hanukkah begins the evening of Sunday, December 22nd and ends the evening of Monday, December 30th.
During the 8-day festival of Hanukkah, the menorah is lit each night with an extra candle added to remember the miracle of the burning oil. On the first night of Hanukkah, only the shamash (which is the candle that lights the other candles) is lit, and each night another candle is added from right to left until all 8 candles are lit.
The custom of the lighting of the menorah might also differ on each night of Hanukkah. For example; on the first night of Hanukkah, it is customary to bless wine and challah before the menorah is lit. The second night of Hanukkah is when the full menorah is lit, but may be preceded with the singing of blessings or Hanukkah songs. On the third night usually a larger Hanukkah gathering is held, such as a Hanukkah party or dinner. The fourth, fifth, and sixth nights of Hanukkah are usually marked with special family traditions or customs.
On shabbat (Saturday night), the lighting of the menorah is more subdued than the preceding six nights or tzom chol hamoed (the intermediate days of the festival). On this day, many people go out for a meal or snack, and challah is often topped with a special topping such as sesame seeds, or perhaps chocolate chips. During shabbat, Hanukkah songs are more reflective in tone.
The seventh night of Hanukkah is customarily marked with special prayers and a warm festive meal. And on the eighth night of the festival the menorah is lit as usual, with special hymns, prayers, songs, and stories completing the celebration.
So whether you want to know what night of Hanukkah it is, or which special traditions occur on which nights, now you have an answer. From the first night of blessings, to the eighth night of storytelling, Hanukkah is a time of joyous celebration to remember the miracle of the burning oil.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.