Hanukkah is an important Jewish holiday celebrated by Jews around the world. It commemorates the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean revolt in 165 BCE. Every year during Hanukkah, Jews light eight candles and honor the holiday’s roots by taking part in rituals, games, and culinary delights such as latkes and jelly donuts. But when does this holiday actually start?
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When Does Hanukkah Begin?
The answer to this question depends on two factors: the type of Jewish calendar being used, and whether one is following a traditional or modern interpretation. In terms of the calendar, there are two types used to calculate the start of holidays: the Solar Hillel calendar, and the Lunar Hebrew calendar. The Solar Hillel calendar is based on solar cycles and is mainly used in the United States and other diaspora communities, while the Lunar Hebrew calendar is based on moon cycles and is mainly used in Israel and other Middle Eastern Jewish communities.
Solar Hillel Calendar
Since Hanukkah is a Babylonian holiday (and the Solar Hillel calendar is a Babylonian-inspired calendar), this is the calendar used to set the date of the holiday’s start. According to this calendar, Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev, and the holiday usually lasts eight days. The precise date of Hanukkah will depend on the dates of Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot – the two High Holidays – but it typically falls in either December or November of each year.
Lunar Hebrew Calendar
In contrast to the Solar Hillel calendar, which is based on the sun cycle, the Lunar Hebrew calendar is based on the moon cycle. Since Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday, this is the calendar traditionally used to determine the start of the holiday. According to this calendar, Hanukkah usually begins on the 25th day of Kislev (four days after the start of the month of Kislev), and it lasts eight days.
Modern Interpretation
It should be noted that some Jews use a modern interpretation of the Lunar Hebrew calendar when determining the start of the holiday. This interpretation calls for the holiday to begin on the 25th of the month of Kislev, no matter how many days the month contains. For instance, if Kislev has 30 days, then Hanukkah will begin on the 25th of Kislev, even though that is the fifth day of the month.
In conclusion, the start of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah depends on the type of Jewish calendar being used and how one interprets it. Most Jews in the diaspora communities use the Solar Hillel calendar and follow the traditional interpretation of the Lunar Hebrew calendar, while in Israel and the Middle Eastern Jewish communities, the Lunar Hebrew calendar is used and, often, a modern interpretation. In both cases, though, Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.