Hanukkah, sometimes spelled Chanukah or through other Hebrew transliterations, is known as the “festival of lights” within Judaism. This joyful holiday is observed over eight consecutive nights, during which families and friends come together to light an additional candle on the menorah—a special candelabrum with multiple branches.
The term Hanukkah translates to “dedication” in Hebrew. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem that took place in the 2nd century BC, following the liberation of the temple by a small group of Jewish warriors from foreign oppressors.
According to tradition, the Jewish fighters discovered a limited supply of ritually pure oil in the Temple, which they used to ignite the menorah. Miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted for eight days, inspiring the customs of lighting candles each night and cooking foods in oil, such as latkes, a type of potato pancake, to honor the enduring oil.
In 2024, Hanukkah will commence on Dec. 25 and continue through Jan. 2, 2025. This year is particularly noteworthy as it marks one of the few instances since 1900 that Hanukkah overlaps with Christmas Day.
The timing of Hanukkah varies each year due to the nature of the Jewish calendar, which is based on lunar cycles and does not align perfectly with the Gregorian calendar that places Christmas on December 25. Hanukkah traditionally begins on the 25th of Kislev, a time that usually falls between late November and late December each year.
Observances of Hanukkah can differ among Jewish communities, ranging from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox practices. Despite the variations, the central theme across all groups remains consistent: the illumination of darkness and the belief that even the most modest efforts can enact significant change.
In practice, while there’s a debate recorded in the Talmud about the order of lighting the candles, the common approach is to start with one candle on the first night and add one more each subsequent night. The candles are positioned on the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right, ensuring that the newest candle is always the first to be ignited. The Hanukkah menorah typically contains eight branches, plus an additional holder for a candle called shamash, which is used to light the others.
Traditionally, real flames are used for the candles, although electric versions are sometimes employed in public settings like hospitals for safety reasons.
Celebrating Hanukkah typically involves lighting a menorah in each household, often placed in prominent locations where it can be seen from outside, such as doorways or windowsills. This practice symbolizes the transmission of divine light to all nations. In recent years, lighting menorahs in public spaces, including city streets and parks, has grown in visibility across the globe, often displayed at significant landmarks.
Alongside the lighting of menorahs, many Jews incorporate charitable giving and community service into their Hanukkah celebrations. This reflects a fundamental belief in the calling of the Jewish people to contribute positively to the world around them, promoting the idea of making it a better place for everyone.