▷ When Is Hanukkah Celebrated And How Long Does It Last?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and is observed for eight days and nights. This annual Jewish holiday is celebrated by lighting the eight-branched menorah, reading the Hanukkah story (from the Hebrew prayer book, known as the Haggadah), eating traditional foods, and playing the dreidel game. During this holiday, families and friends gather to light the candles of the menorah, partake in festive meals, exchange gifts, and play games.

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, beginning on the 25th of Kislev and ending on the 3rd of Tevet, on the Hebrew calendar. The exact dates of Hanukkah usually vary from year to year, since the Hebrew calendar is a lunisolar calendar and doesn’t quite align with the Gregorian calendar. The festival usually begins in November or December of each year.

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1 How is Hanukkah Celebrated?

How is Hanukkah Celebrated?

There are many different traditions associated with Hanukkah, but the key ceremony performed during the festival is lighting the menorah, which is often done publicly in a synagogue. The menorah is lit by adding one candle each night of the festival, until all eight are lit on the final night.

The Hanukkah Story and the Haggadah

The story of Hanukkah is often told during the festival, and is considered to be one of the most important parts of the celebration. The story is found in the Hebrew prayer book, the Haggadah, and is read both publicly and in the home as part of the traditional Hanukkah service.

Traditional Hanukkah Foods

Traditional Hanukkah foods include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and gefilte fish. These dishes are fried in oil, which is symbolic of the miracle of oil that happened during the rededication of the Holy Temple.

The Dreidel Game

The dreidel is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters on each side. It is used to play a traditional Hanukkah game, wherein players spin the top and then take turns putting items (traditionally coins or chocolate coins) into the pot. Depending on the outcome of the spin, the players can either take items from the pot, put items in the pot, or do nothing.

The dreidel game is usually accompanied by gifts, which are exchanged between family and friends during the festival.

In conclusion, Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and is observed for 8 days and nights. This festive holiday is marked by lighting the menorah, eating traditional foods, reading the Hanukkah story, exchanging gifts, and playing the dreidel game. These activities are cherished and enjoyed not only by Jews, but by people of all faiths and backgrounds, as it is a celebration of faith, family, and freedom.

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