Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday commemorated in the late autumn or early winter. It is observed in homes by lighting a nine-branched menorah, and it is often accompanied by special blessings and festive meals. This important holiday is based on the story of the ancient Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. To learn more about exactly when Hanukkah occurs, read on for a full overview of its timing and meaning.
When Is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah’s timing changes each year as it typically begins on the 25th of Kislev, a month in the Jewish calendar. This date does not always match up with a date on the Gregorian calendar, but usually it occurs in November or December. In 2021, Hanukkah will begin in the evening of Thursday, December 10th, and will continue for 8 days until Friday, December 18th.
How Is Hanukkah Celebrated?
Hanukkah is most popularly celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum which contains one candle for each day of the holiday and the shamash, which is an additional candle used to light the other candles. On each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are lit on the 8th and final night of the holiday. The candles are lit alongside special blessings which honor the miracle of the oil and the historic events that Hanukkah celebrates.
Many families observe additional traditions during Hanukkah, such as playing the dreidel game and exchanging gifts. The dreidel game is a game of chance and strategy which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Players use a four-sided spinning top with four Hebrew letters inscribed on each side, and depending on which letter is facing up when the dreidel stops spinning, players can collect or distribute coins or treats. Exchange of gifts is also a popular Hanukkah tradition, and individuals often give symbolic gifts such as coins, books, or religious items, or Hanukkah-specific items like chocolate gelt, a traditional chocolate in the shape of coins.
Hanukkah is a special holiday for many Jewish people, and it has been celebrated for thousands of years. It not only honors the miraculous event of the oil that burned for eight days, but also the freedom of the Jewish people to practice their religion under Hellenistic rule. Hanukkah is celebrated each year in the late autumn or early winter, and its timing is based on the Jewish calendar’s 25th of Kislev. During this joyful holiday, people light a menorah, recite blessings, play the dreidel game, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals.
In 2021, Hanukkah will begin in the evening of Thursday, December 10th and will continue for 8 days until Friday, December 18th. Despite its seasonal proximity to Christmas, Hanukkah is an ancient and meaningful holiday separate from the Christian holiday season. As we remember the difficulties of the Jewish people throughout history, we celebrate with the joyous traditions of this Festival of Lights.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.