Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day holiday celebrated by Jewish people every year. This holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the ancient Greek empire and the reconsecration of the temple in Jerusalem. The festival also celebrates the oil that miraculously burned for eight days in the temple, even though there was only enough oil for one night. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, usually falling between November and December each year.
Hanukkah marks the start of celebration and joy, as well as the redemption of the Jewish people from the control of other nations. This year, Hanukkah begins on the evening of Sunday, December 22, 2020, and runs through the evening of Monday, December 30, 2020.
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How Does the Date of Hanukkah Change Every Year?
The Hebrew Calendar
Hanukkah is celebrated each year on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev. The Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means that the dates for holidays such as Hanukkah shift from year to year. The length of the months can also vary according to the significance of the full moon. Thus, it takes several years for the Hebrew calendar to “catch up” to the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world.
Prediction of Hanukkah Dates
With the aid of technology, it is possible to accurately predict the exact date of Hanukkah for years into the future. Using this information, the Jewish community is able to plan for and set traditions around Hanukkah celebrations.
The rabbis of the Talmud in ancient times determined a set of rules for calculating the dates of Jewish festivals. As a result, the dates of Hanukkah in the Hebrew calendar and the dates in the Gregorian calendar are known well in advance and can be looked up online.
Hanukkah Customs and Traditions
Throughout Hanukkah, there are many customs and traditions. On the first night, a Menorah is lit and blessings are said. Each night, an additional candle is lit in the Menorah until all eight candles are glowing. Other traditions include playing Dreidel games, sharing holiday foods such as latkes with family, and exchanging gifts.
Hanukkah is an important festival for celebrating the past successes and future hopes of the Jewish people. As the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the exact date for Hanukkah changes each year according to the movements of the moon. Although the date of the festival shifts year to year, the customs and traditions of Hanukkah remain the same – a joyous and festive time to share with family and friends.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.