Hanukkah is an important religious holiday for Jews in Israel and around the world. Every year, Jews celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century BC. But when exactly does the holiday start?
The celebration of Hanukkah begins the evening before the first day of the holiday, on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. That calendar is lunar based, so the date of Hanukkah can be very different each year. For example, in 2019, the 1st night of Hanukkah began on the evening of December 22, and continued until December 30. Hanukkah can start as early as November 28, and it can extend until January 1 of the following year.Table of Contents
What Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of rededication. It celebrates the victory of a small group of Jewish warriors who rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors around 2,200 years ago. The Jewish army, known as the Maccabees, defeated the oppressors and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. This is why Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, as candles are lit for eight days – one for each day that the Maccabees fought and won.
What Is The 1St Night Of Hanukkah?
The 1st night of Hanukkah, also known as the start of the Festival of Lights, is the evening of the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This date can differ from year to year since the Hebrew calendar is a lunar-based calendar. On this day, Jewish families and communities around the world gather to light the menorah, or Hanukkiyah. The youngest member of the family generally lights the shamash (the center candle). The candle is then used to light the other eight candles in a clockwise spiral for the next seven nights.
What Traditions Are Associated With Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is an 8-day holiday and is celebrated by Jews around the world. During this time, Jews recite special prayers, give gifts, play the dreidel game, eat special foods made with oil such as latkes and jelly donuts, and of course, light the menorah.
Gifts and Charity
One of the main customs of Hanukkah is to give presents to children. It is also customary to give tzedakah, which means “charity” – or to give to those in need. This gesture is in keeping with the spirit of the 2nd century BC Maccabees, who shared their spoils of war with the less fortunate.
The Dreidel Game
Most Jews will also play a game called Dreidel. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters inscribed on each side. The letters form the acronym for ‘Nes Gadol Haya Sham’ – ‘a great miracle happened there’. As the dreidel is spun, the players bet on which side the dreidel will land on. The winner receives a prize.
Hanukkah is a festival with deep roots in Jewish history and culture. Every year, during the eight-day Festival of Lights, Jews around the world gather to light the menorah, recite prayers, play the Dreidel game, and give to the less fortunate. But the highlight is the 1st night of Hanukkah – the evening of the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This marks the start of the important Jewish holiday when families come together in joy and in celebration.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.