Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is a Jewish holiday known as the “Festival of Lights,” celebrated for eight nights. The name is often linked to the idea of “dedication” and the holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is widely associated with themes of resilience, identity, hope, and bringing light into darkness—especially meaningful during the winter season.
When is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and lasts eight nights. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the dates shift each year on the Gregorian calendar, typically falling in late November or December. In Jewish tradition, days begin at sunset, so Hanukkah observance usually starts after sundown.
A short background (why Hanukkah exists)
Hanukkah is connected to the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE and the rededication of the Temple afterward. A well-known part of the story is the “oil miracle”: a small amount of ritually pure oil—expected to last one day—was believed to have kept the Temple lamp burning for eight days. This symbolic “increasing light” is central to Hanukkah’s public rituals.
Menorah vs. Hanukkiah: what’s the difference?
People often say “menorah,” but the special candelabrum used for Hanukkah is commonly called a hanukkiah. It has nine branches: eight for the eight nights plus one helper candle called the shamash (the “attendant”) used to light the others.
How are the candles lit?
Each night, one additional candle is lit, so the light grows night by night. The shamash is lit first, then used to light that night’s candle(s). Exact practices can vary by community, but the core idea is consistent: the lights increase each night.
Common Hanukkah traditions
- Fried foods: Because of the oil symbolism, foods fried in oil are popular—especially latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
- Dreidel: A spinning-top game often played with children.
- Hanukkah gelt: Giving small money gifts (or chocolate coins) is common in many communities.
Is Hanukkah a “Jewish Christmas”?
No. Hanukkah has its own historical and religious context. The dates sometimes overlap with the Christmas season, which can make it feel more visible in popular culture, but it is not an alternative or equivalent holiday.
Quick FAQ
- How long does Hanukkah last? → Eight nights.
- Why nine candles? → Eight nights + one shamash to light the others.
- Hanukkah vs Chanukah? → Different spellings of the same word.