Hanukkah, which is also called the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important celebrations in the Jewish calendar. The holiday dates back to the 2nd century BC, when the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee, recovered the Temple of Jerusalem from the Greeks and reclaimed it for the Jews. Hanukkah commemorates this event and celebrates the rededication of the second Temple in Jerusalem.
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which is usually some time in December. The length of the festival depends on the type of calendar year it is – either long or short. In a long year, Hanukkah will last for eight days; in a short year, it will last for seven days.
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When is Hanukkah 2020?
Hanukkah 2020 will begin on the evening of December 10th and end on the evening of December 18th.
How is Hanukkah Celebrated?
Hanukkah is primarily celebrated by lighting the nine-branched Menorah, also known as the Hanukkah candle, each night of the festival. Additionally, traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are often consumed and special blessings are recited. The game of dreidel is also played during Hanukkah.
The Blessing and Lighting of the Menorah
The lighting of the menorah is the most important ritual of Hanukkah. On the first night, one candle is placed in the menorah and lit. On subsequent nights, an additional candle is lit, starting with two on the second night and ending with nine on the last night. After the candles are lit, a blessing is said, thanking God for helping Judah Maccabee and his followers.
Foods for Hanukkah
Food plays an important role in Hanukkah. Foods such as latkes, sufganiyot, and kugel are fried in oil to symbolize the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. Other traditional foods for Hanukkah include jelly donuts, cheese blintzes, and rugelach.
Dreidel Game
The dreidel game is a popular Hanukkah tradition. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The Hebrew letters stand for the phrase “A great miracle happened there.” The game is usually played with a spinning top, some candy or coins, and a pot. The players take turns spinning the top and depending on which side lands facing up, they either keep their winnings or put some of them in the pot.
In summary, Hanukkah is an eight- or seven-day festival of lights that celebrates the rededication of the second Temple in Jerusalem by Judah Maccabee in the 2nd century BC. During the festival, a special menorah is lit with an additional candle each night, traditional foods are eaten, and a game of dreidel is played. Hanukkah 2020 will begin on December 10th and end on December 18th.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.