▷ When Do We Light The First Candle For Hanukkah?

The celebration of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah involves lighting of a candle each night. Ever wondered when to light the first candle for Hanukkah? Let us explore this in this article.

Table of Contents

1 When Do We Light The First Candle For Hanukkah?

When Do We Light The First Candle For Hanukkah?

The date of the first night of Hanukkah always starts on the Hebrew calendar date of the 25th day of Kislev and varies on the Gregorian calendar each year. This is because the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar and the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar. Hanukkah usually lasts for eight nights but may sometimes last until nine nights depending on the date of the Jewish New Year that year.

On the night before Hanukkah, a special menorah (candelabra) is lit with one flame. This flame is referred to as the “shamash” and is a candle used to light the other candles in the menorah. The ritual is to light one candle on the first night of Hanukkah, two candles on the second night, and so forth. Only the shamash is used to light the other eight candles.

On the first night of Hanukkah, the blessing over the menorah is recited and the menorah is lit – starting with the shamash and the one candle. Additional blessings are offered as the other candles are lit. The menorah is placed in the window or in another area to be seen by everyone, and can be enjoyed all week long.

What Is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that is celebrated in the winter. It commemorates a historical event in which a small Jewish army known as the Maccabees defeated the large and powerful Greek-Syrian army. This is spiritually celebrated by the lighting of a menorah as a representation of the miracle of the one-day supply of oil that lasted for eight days.

What Does Hanukkah Mean?

The word Hanukkah means “dedication” and falls on the Hebrew calendar between late November and late December. The most important symbol of Hanukkah is the menorah, which is a special candelabra with nine branches. Eight of the branches represent each of the eight days that the Maccabees kept the lights of their temple burning. The ninth candle is known as the shamash, which is used to light the other candles.

What Are The Dates of Hanukkah?

The exact dates of Hanukkah vary each year, but are celebrated at the same time. To figure out when the holiday begins each year, you must consult a Jewish calendar or an online calendar. The following are the dates of Hanukkah from 2019-2025:

2019 – December 22-30
2020 – December 10-18
2021 – December 2-10
2022 – December 22-30
2023 – December 12-20
2024 – December 3-11
2025 – November 24 – December 2

In conclusion, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration that takes place in the winter. It is a festival of religious freedom and a celebration of the miracle of oil that lasted eight days. Hanukkah is marked by the lighting of a menorah and the offering of special blessings. The exact dates vary each year, so be sure to check a Jewish or online calendar to find out when to light the first candle for Hanukkah.

Related Products:

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