Hanukkah is an 8-day, Jewish holiday of commemoration and celebration also known as the Festival of Lights. Each night during the Hanukkah period, a new candle is added to the Hanukkah menorah, and the holiday is celebrated with rituals, gifts, food and much more. When Hanukkah ends marks the conclusion of this joyous holiday, and those who observe Hanukkah may have different traditions when it comes to closing the festivities.
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When Does Hanukkah End?
Hanukkah in the Jewish calendar is always observed on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. This corresponds to a date in December or November of the modern-day Gregorian calendar. Because the Jewish calendar is a lunar, it is not always the same day each year, and the exact date of Hanukkah varies from year to year.
Start Date of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is celebrated during the 25th day of Kislev, which is known as the first night of Hanukkah. On the Hebrew calendar, each day begins at sunset the night before. Therefore, Hanukkah always begins with the lighting of the menorah on nightfall of the 25th day of Kislev and continues for seven days, ending with nightfall of the last day.
Significance of a Twenty-fifth Day
The importance of the 25th day of Kislev has additional relevance to the celebration of Hanukkah. In Judaic tradition, 25 is the numerical value of the Hebrew letters of the word chanukah, which means “dedication.” Additionally, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after King Antiochus overthrew the Jewish people.
Observing The Eighth Night of Hanukkah
- When the Hanukkah celebration reaches the eighth day, the festivities begin to wind down and come to an end.
- At nightfall of the 8th day of Kislev, the Hanukkah menorah is extinguished for the last time and the last candle is lit.
- The final night of Hanukkah is actually the 7th night, but the 8th night is a special observance to mark the end of the holiday.
- In addition to saying the Hanukkah blessings, Jewish families also read the closing of the Hallel prayer, which expresses joy and gratitude for the mitzvahs of the holiday.
- At the conclusion of the Hallel prayer, the final Hanukkah candle is extinguished and the holiday season officially ends.
Throughout Hanukkah, Jewish people celebrate freedom and rededication. The annual holiday is characterized by joy, food and gift-giving, and culminates in the extinguishing of the Hanukkah menorah when the 8th night of Kislev has come to an end. Though the holiday may end, the spirit and tradition of Hanukkah will live on for generations.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.