Hanukkah is celebrated during a period of eight days in the Jewsih month of Kislev. Depending on the Hebrew calendar, the festivities of Hanukkah can begin anytime from the 25th of Kislev to the 2nd of Teveth. While Hanukkah is generally pegged to start on a certain day of the week, it isn’t restricted to begin on any specific day.
Hanukkah isn’t permitted to begin on Sundays, at least not since 3744 / 35 B.C.E., according to a legendary account given by Shmuel, the son of Rabbi Yitzchak. The story recounts how the Maccabees didn’t know when exactly Hanukkah should start and so went to inquire from the Sage Hillel II. Hillel told them Hanukkah starts on the 25th of Kislev and that the 25th of Kislev would never fall on a Sunday.
Why Hanukkah Can’t Begin On A Sunday
The reason why Hanukkah is never supposed to begin on a Sunday has to do with the Jewish calendar. According to the Rabbinic text, the Seder Olam Rabbah, the Rabbis sought that Jewish holidays should not coincide with idolatrous festivals. In the time of the Maccabees, Sunday was supposedly a day of pagan festivities and so Hillel instituted a ruling that the 25th of Kislev should never be a Sunday.
How Sunday Is Related To Hanukkah
Ever since 3744 / 35 B.C.E., the 25th of Kislev can never be a Sunday. Because of the length of the Hebrew calendar, this means that the earliest Hanukkah can start is on Tuesday, the latest is on Saturday. This is why Hanukkah is rarely on the same day of the week from year to year. Thus, Hanukkah begins no earlier than Tuesday and no later than Saturday.
The Blessing On Hanukkah
On the first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. This is done to thank G-d for sustaining the Jewish people and for having allowed us to reach this season. In memory of Hillel, who instituted the ruling that Hanukkah can’t begin on a Sunday, the Talmud instructs us to bless his memory following the Shehecheyanu blessing.
In conclusion, Hanukkah is a holiday of joy and celebration that runs for eight days. Its beginning is connected to the Hebrew calendar, and it is subject to the rule that it can never start on a Sunday. This rule was instituted by Hillel II, so on the first night of Hanukkah we recall his memory with a special blessing.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.