What dates are Hanukkah this year?
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an important Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire. This year, Hanukkah falls on December 17th, 2023, and will be celebrated for eight days, ending on December 24th. The festival is marked by the lighting of the menorah, the eating of fried foods, and the playing of dreidel. It is a time of joy, reflection, and the celebration of freedom and religious tolerance. As with many Jewish holidays, the exact dates of Hanukkah vary each year due to the Jewish lunar calendar.
Hanukkah is a relatively short holiday, lasting only eight days. However, it is a time when families and communities come together to celebrate and honor their heritage. The festival begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which corresponds to late November or early December on the Gregorian calendar. The exact dates can vary from year to year, as the Jewish calendar is based on the phases of the moon.
The story of Hanukkah is one of resilience and the triumph of light over darkness. According to tradition, when the Maccabees, a Jewish rebel group, reclaimed the Temple, they found only one jar of consecrated oil to light the menorah. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, enough time to prepare more oil. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, symbolizing the miracle of the oil.
During Hanukkah, it is customary to light the menorah each night, adding a new candle to the right-hand side of the menorah. The candles represent the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees. The first night, one candle is lit, and each subsequent night, an additional candle is added until all eight candles are lit on the final night.
Fried foods, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah to symbolize the oil. These foods are fried in oil, representing the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days.
Dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, is also a popular Hanukkah game. The dreidel has four sides inscribed with Hebrew letters: “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (A great miracle happened there), which refers to the miracle of the oil.
Hanukkah is a time for families to come together, share stories, and celebrate their Jewish heritage. It is a time of joy, reflection, and the appreciation of the freedoms and values that the Jewish people hold dear. As we light the menorah and play dreidel, let us remember the miracle of Hanukkah and the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history.
