▷ When Is The First Candle Of Hanukkah?

The first candle of Hanukkah is kindled each year on the 25th day of Kislev, which normally falls in late November or December. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Each year, Hanukkah marks the miracle of oil that lasted eight days in the menorah of the Holy Temple when it was rededicated in 164 BC. As part of this celebration, a special candle holder (called a menorah) holds nine candles, with one being lit on each day of the holiday.

When Is the First Candle Of Hanukkah?

The first night of Hanukkah always falls on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. Kislev is the ninth month of the Hebrew year and is usually in late November or December on the Gregorian or civil calendar. The menorah is kindled with a special ninth candle called the shamash (or servant) on the first night of Hanukkah. On each of the eight evenings of Hanukkah, an additional candle is lit, with the eight and final candle being kindled on the last night of the holiday. Typically, the first day of Hanukkah will fall on a different date each year, as the Hebrew calendar follows a lunar cycle.

History of the Hanukkah Holiday

The Hanukkah holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid government in the Land of Israel in the 2nd century BCE. The Maccabees, a Jewish military force, reclaimed and reconsecrated the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. When they went to rededicate the Temple, they found only one container of oil still sealed, suitable to light the menorah for only one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted 8 days — enough to procure a fresh supply of oil — and thus, the Hanukkah holiday was established. Each of the eight days, the menorah is lit to recall the miracle of the oil.

On Hanukkah, families and communities come together to light the menorah, exchange gifts, play traditional games, eat special foods, and recite blessings. Hanukkah honors the power of faith and courage, and celebrates community, togetherness, and religious freedom.

Hanukkah is an important holiday in Jewish communities around the world. Every year, the first candle of Hanukkah honors the miraculous restoration of Jerusalem’s holy Temple, and marks the beginning of a joyous holiday of community celebration.

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