▷ When Is First Night Of Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, or “Festival of Dedication”. Celebrated for 8 days, it began this year on December 10 and will end on December 18, 2020. This yearly celebration remembers the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a successful revolt against the Syrian-Greeks 2,200 years ago. An important part of Hanukkah is the kindling of lights each night. But, when is the first night of Hanukkah?

The first night of Hanukkah is determined by the Hebrew calendar, specifically its lunar cycle. Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, which is usually in November or December. This year, the first night of Hanukkah was on December 10. Depending on when the new moon rises over Jerusalem, the first night of Hanukkah may be celebrated in late November or mid-December.

Table of Contents

1 The Significance Of The First Night
- 1.1 The Ritual Of Candle Lighting
2 The Food Of Hanukkah
- 2.1 The Gift Of Gelfilte Fish

The Significance Of The First Night

The first night of Hanukkah has special importance. On the first night it is customary to light the first candle on the Menorah, and say the blessing. Many families light one candle on the first night, and then add one candle each night until all eight are lit on the eighth and final night. This symbolizes the eight day miracle of the Temple’s Menorah, that burned with only one day’s worth of oil.

The Ritual Of Candle Lighting

The ritual of lighting the Menorah begins by blessing the candles. Then, the family recites the phrase “maa-tay ha-shamay-eem”, which means “who causes the soultions to flourish” in Hebrew. After the blessing and phrase, the family lights the candles from left to right. To signify that Hanukkah has begun, families place the Menorah in a prominent place in the home.

The Food Of Hanukkah

The famous latke (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) of Hanukkah have their own origin stories. The latke is said to be a reminder of the oil that sustained the menorah for the 8 days, while the sufganiyot is said to represent the pillows and mattresses that the in-hiding Maccabees used to hide from the Syrian-Greeks.

The Gift Of Gelfilte Fish

On the first night of Hanukkah, it is traditional is to serve a fish dish. This is also a reminder of the oil, and respectful reminder of the humble origins of the Jews. Gelfilte fish is a popular choice, a dish consisting of a mixture of several types of fish.

So, when is the first night of Hanukkah? This year, it took place on December 10, but the exact date changes each year. However, no matter what the date, families take part in the traditional candle lighting, eating of food, and exchange of gifts, to remember the Maccabees and the miracle of oil that burned for 8 days.

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