Hanukkah, the Jewish "Festival of Lights," is an eight-night celebration filled with history, traditions and, of course, tasty seasonal food.
When Is Hanukkah 2024?
This year, Hanukkah starts at sundown on December 25, 2024, and ends at sunset on January 2, 2025. The holiday begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, a date that shifts annually on the Gregorian calendar.
Why does Hanukkah last eight days?
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean Revolt in the second century BCE. Under Syrian King Antiochus IV, Jews were forced to renounce their faith or face death. Judah Maccabee led a rebellion that reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees went to light the Temple’s menorah, they found only enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the flames burned for eight nights. It was seen as divine intervention. The holiday celebrates these eight nights.
How Is Hanukkah celebrated?
The Hanukkah menorah used today has nine branches, each with a candle—one for each night of Hanukkah and a central candle (“shamash”) used to light the others.
Each night, the menorah is lit, starting with the shamash and adding one candle per evening from right to left. Traditional blessings and songs accompany the lighting, and the menorah is placed in a window so the light can be shared with others. Other customs include playing dreidel, a spinning top game. Hebrew letters that dictate the outcome of each spin, with gelt—real money or chocolate coins—given as the reward.
Is Hanukkah all about gifts?
While gift-giving has become common, especially in the U.S., it’s not a central Hanukkah tradition. The practice likely gained popularity due to the holiday’s proximity to Christmas.
What’s on the Menu?
Hanukkah foods honor the miracle of the oil. Expect latkes (potato pancakes) with applesauce or sour cream, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and other fried treats. Dairy-based dishes, challah and brisket are also holiday staples.
Though not as significant as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, Hanukkah holds a special place in Jewish culture, blending history, community and joy into eight magical nights.