Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah or other transliterations from Hebrew — is Judaism’s “festival of lights.” On eight consecutive night-falls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah — a multi-branched candelabra.
Quick Read
- Hanukkah Overview: Hanukkah, also known as the “festival of lights” in Judaism, is celebrated by lighting an additional candle on the menorah each night for eight nights.
- Historical Significance: The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, following its liberation from foreign forces.
- Miracle of the Menorah: The celebration honors the miracle of a small supply of oil lasting eight days in the temple’s menorah.
- Hanukkah 2023 Dates: In 2023, Hanukkah will be observed from December 7 to December 15.
- Uniform Observance Across Sects: Jews of all denominations observe Hanukkah similarly, focusing on the theme of bringing light into darkness.
- Menorah Lighting Ritual: Candles are added from right to left but lit from left to right, starting with the newest light. A special menorah with eight branches plus a ninth for the shamash candle is used.
- Real Flame Tradition: Traditionally, real flame candles are used, though electric ones are sometimes used in public spaces for safety.
- Celebration Practices: Menorahs are lit in homes and public spaces, emphasizing the spread of God’s light. The holiday also includes acts of charity and social works.
The Associated Press has the story:
What to know about Hanukkah and how it’s celebrated around the world
Newslooks- (AP)
Hanukkah — also spelled Chanukah or other transliterations from Hebrew — is Judaism’s “festival of lights.” On eight consecutive night-falls, Jews gather with family and friends to light one additional candle in the menorah — a multi-branched candelabra.
In Hebrew, Hanukkah means “dedication,” and the holiday marks the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.
With the tiny supply of ritually pure oil that they found in the temple, they lit the menorah — and it stayed lit for eight days. The ritual of lighting a nightly candle, as well as the emphasis on cooking foods in oil such as potato pancakes called latkes, memorialize this miraculously long-lasting oil.
When is Hanukkah 2023?
The dates of the holiday are based on Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually coincides with November-December in the Gregorian calendar.
This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated from Dec. 7 through Dec. 15.
Does Hanukkah observance vary?
Jews across the religious observance spectrum — from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox — focus on the same theme of bringing light into the darkness and emphasizing that even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.
For this reason, even though the Talmud reflects a dispute over the order of lighting, most start with one candle and increase the lighting by one more candle each night while reciting or chanting special blessings.
The candles are added from right to left, but lit from left to right on the menorah, thus always starting with the newest light. The special menorah used for Hanukkah has eight branches, with a ninth place for the candle called shamash from which all others are lit.
The tradition calls for candles with a real flame, though some also use electric ones in public displays, such as in hospitals, for safety reasons.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
A menorah is lit in each household and traditionally is placed where it can be seen from the outside, such as a doorway or windowsill, to symbolize the spreading of God’s light to all nations.
The lighting of menorahs in city streets and parks has become more prominent in recent years in countries around the world, including in front of public landmarks.
In addition to menorah lightings, giving to charity and social works are also part of the celebration for many, reflecting the belief that the Jewish people are called by God to help make the world better for all.
