Hanukkah is an ancient Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This year, the festival of lights will begin on December 10th, 2020 and end on the evening of December 18th. Spanning eight days, this time-honored tradition is filled with festivities, including nightly candle-lighting, food, and gift-giving. Each Hanukkah, families around the world come together to commemorate this special occasion and build lasting memories of the joy it brings.
When Is Hanukkah Start This Year?
Hanukkah is an eight-day festival celebrated from sundown on the 25th of Kislev to sundown on the 3rd of Tevet in the Jewish calendar. This year, the festival will begin on the evening of Sunday, December 10th, 2020 and end on the evening of Monday, December 18th. During Hanukkah, Jews commemorate the military victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian-Greeks, and the miracle of the single-day lastin jug of olive oil used to fuel the rededication of the Temple.
The Significance of Hanukkah
The eight days of Hanukkah represent the eight days that the oil from the lamp of the Temple burned in spite of being ruined by royal Greeks and rededicated by the Maccabees. On every single evening of Hanukkah, a new holiday candle is lit, commemorating the eternal light that shone in the Temple’s menorah.
The Rituals of Hanukkah
Many traditional rituals take place throughout Hanukkah, all of which bring a celebratory and joyous atmosphere to the festivities.
- Lighting Candles: On each night of Hanukkah, a new candle is lit on a menorah, which is a nine-branched candelabrum. In many families, the head of the household lights the menorah and recites prayers.
- Eating Food: On each night of Hanukkah, families come together to eat traditional Jewish foods fried in oil, such as latkes, donuts, and sufganiyot. Eating these fried foods commemorates the miracle of the tiny jug of oil.
- Spinning the Four-sided Top: This four-sided top is spun in a game known as dreidel. The dreidel has four Hebrew letters inscribed on each side, which together spell out “Nes Gadol Haya Sham”, or “A great miracle happened there”.
- Giving Gifts: On Hanukkah, many families exchange gifts and give money to children–known as Hanukkah Gelt–as a way to further celebrate the miracle that the Maccabees overcame.
Hanukkah is a profoundly meaningful, joyous time of celebration and connection. This year, Hanukkah will begin on the evening of December 10th, 2020 and end on the evening of December 18th. This communal holiday is an opportunity to not only remember an ancient miracle and celebrate a time of religious freedom for the Jewish people, but also provides a time to come together with family and friends to create lasting memories.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.