What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, also called Chanukah, is the Jewish festival of lights. “Hanukkah” means “dedication” in Hebrew.
This holiday celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 2nd century B.C. Seleucid King Antiochus had occupied what is now present-day Israel and forbade Jews to practice their religion, insisting they worship Greek gods. When they refused, his forces destroyed and desecrated the Temple.
When the Temple was liberated years later by the Maccabees (Jewish warriors), they found one jar of consecrated oil inside – enough to burn for 1 day. But the oil miraculously burned for 8 days – long enough for the Maccabees to find more oil to light the sacred candles and purify and restore the Temple. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 days.
When is Hanukkah?
This year, Hanukkah begins at nightfall on Thursday, December 7 and ends at nightfall on Friday, December 15, 2023.
The exact dates change every year because celebrations begin according to the Hebrew calendar on the 25th day of the ninth month (Kislev), which usually coincides with November-December in the Gregorian calendar.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
On each night of Hanukkah, members of Jewish households gather to light the Menorah: a candleholder for nine candles – one candle for each of the 8 nights, and a ninth called the “shamash” (meaning “helper”) used to light the others. The first candle is lit on the first night, and another each night thereafter so that on the final night, all 8 candles are burning.
Loved ones also gather to sing, pray, recite blessings, exchange gifts and play dreidel (a game of chance with a 4-sided spinning top). Special traditional foods are prepared, referencing the oil from the special lamp, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (deep-fried jelly donuts).
How to greet someone who is celebrating Hanukkah:
Common greetings include “Happy Hanukkah”, or “Chag sameach” (khag sah–meh-ahkh) meaning “Happy Holiday” in Hebrew.
