As the winter nights deepen and the calendar inches towards December 7, the Festival of Lights, also known as Hanukkah, takes center stage in Jewish households around the world.
Commencing at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7, and culminating with nightfall on Friday, Dec. 15, Hanukkah is a celebration rich in history and tradition that spans eight nights.
Hanukkah, also spelled Chanukah, unfolds on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, typically falling within November or December.
Recognized as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, it marks the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian-Greek army.
Lasting for eight nights and days, Hanukkah holds significant cultural and historical importance for the Jewish community.
The festival symbolizes resilience and the miraculous endurance of the Menorah, lit with a meager amount of oil that defied expectations by staying alight for eight nights.
What do you do on the 1st day of Hanukkah?
At the heart of Hanukkah lies the tradition of lighting the Menorah, one candle at a time. Families across the Jewish community light candles, adding one for each night, following a specific ritual.
On the first night of Hanukkah it is tradition to accompany the lighting process to recite the Shehecheyanu, which is the blessing that is said the first time there is a celebration each Jewish calendar year, to create a moment of reflection.
The Menorah, with its eight branches, becomes a symbol of hope and continuity.
While the Menorah lighting is central to Hanukkah, the festival embraces other cherished traditions. Families exchange presents throughout the holiday, and a game of dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters, adds an element of fun.
Culinary delights take center stage, with potato latkes, sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts), and chocolate gelt coins becoming integral to the celebrations.
Contrary to popular belief, consumer gifts are not a traditional Hanukkah custom.
Instead, the focus is on the menorah’s candles, symbolizing the miraculous event.
Traditional giving includes charity, a nod to the historical need for everyone, even the less fortunate, to have money for candles.
Additionally, Hanukkah gelt (money) is bestowed upon children, and games with the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, add a playful dimension to the festivities.
How long does Hanukkah lasts?
Starting today, during the next eight days every jewish person in the world who celebrates Hanukkah will light a candle and make the traditional prayer.
The celebration will end the next december 15.