Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day) in the United States (2024)

FAQs

What are the 8 days of Hanukkah 2022? ›

Hanukkah (or Chanukah) begins at sundown on Sunday, December 18, 2022, and ends the evening of Monday, December 26, 2022 (8 nights).

Candles are placed in a menorah (sometimes a hanukkiah), with the number of lights increasing each night. This is the most important tradition of Hanukkah! On the first night, one candle (plus a “helper” candle called the shammash) is lit. On the second night, two candles plus the shammash are lit.

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days every year. Normally it occurs between late November and December, although the exact dates change every year. This is because Hanukkah is always on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. 25 Kislev is a date from the Hebrew calendar.

Jewish communities in the United States celebrate the first day of Hanukkah on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar.

Hanukkah lasts for eight nights; one candle is placed in a menorah and lit each night. A ninth candle, the shamash, is used to light the other candles. In The Ninth Night of Hanukkah, a family is settling into their new apartment, but have not finished unpacking. The box with their Hanukkah supplies remains unopened.

Fried potato pancakes, called latkes in Yiddish and levivot in Hebrew, are the most popular Hanukkah food. They are shredded potatoes mixed with onion, egg, flour and seasonings, then formed into small pancakes and fried in oil. The crispy latkes are served with sour cream and applesauce on the side.

Unlike some other Jewish holidays where work is forbidden, there are no restrictions on doing work during Hanukkah. On each day, Jews light candles on a hanukkiah (a nine-branched candelabrum), starting with one candle and adding one more each day.

The story of Hanukkah is preserved in the books of the First and Second Maccabees, which describe in detail the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the lighting of the menorah.

Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush initiated a new tradition in 2001, when the Hanukkah menorah was lit for the first time in the White House Residence.

Is it OK to say Happy Hanukkah? ›

The traditional greeting for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah in English is Happy Hanukkah. But this is not the only expression you can use to recognize the holiday or wish celebratory cheer.

For many English speakers, the festival is also known for confusion over the spelling of its name: Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? The answer is that both are considered correct, though Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional.

Jesus made sure he was in Jerusalem during Hanukkah, The Feast of Dedication, in John chapter 10. He did not ignore it, or any of the prescribed feasts.

On the first night of Hanukkah add this blessing: Baruch atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech ha-olam, shehecheyanu v-ki'y'manu v-higianu la-z'man ha-zeh. Blessed are you, Our God, Ruler of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this season.

What Is Hanukkah? Hanukkah (also spelled “Chanukah”) is an eight-day winter “festival of lights,” which begins each year on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

On the Jewish calendar, which relies on lunar months that last either 29 or 30 days, Hanukkah begins on the same night every year: the 25th of the month of Kislev.

This year, Hanukkah will start on the evening of Sunday, December 18, 2022. It will end on the evening of Monday, December 26, 2022.

The last day of Hanukkah is the eighth day of Hanukkah. It is known as Zose Hanukkah, Zos Hanukkah or Zot Hanukkah. It marks the day on which the great miracle of oil occurred, according to Jewish belief. It is a particularly special day because it encapsulates all of Hanukkah.

The most important of all Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of the menorah each evening.

There was only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the menorah in the Temple for one day. But it lasted eight days, in time to produce new pure oil and the menorah was able to remain lit and never burn out. This miracle is attributed to God and the faith that the Jews had in God.

What foods are forbidden during Hanukkah? ›

There is no pork or shellfish allowed, and Jews will not mix meat and dairy in the same meal, so if a chicken is on the table, you won't find butter or cheese.

Traditionally, gifts were not a part of Hanukkah. Instead gelt -- a small amount of money or chocolate coins -- was given to children. However, some parents now include gift giving in their Hanukkah festivities.

Although Hanukkah does not correspond to a specific traditional outfit, rule of thumb is to use a combination of blue and white colours in your dress or outfit. Colours blue and white hold a great symbolic significance to Jewish people.

During these persecutions, early Christians were inspired by the Hanukkah story. They included two Books of Maccabees in their Bibles. The Hanukkah story gave early Christians hope that God would remember them as He remembered Jews who had been persecuted by Greeks 220 years earlier.

Jews celebrate it by lighting the menorah, playing the game of dreidel and eating special holiday foods like latkes and sufganiyot. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Selucids in 164 B.C.E., and is one of the happiest Jewish holidays of the year.

Observances. The biblical ban against work on the Sabbath, while never clearly defined, includes activities such as baking and cooking, travelling, kindling fire, gathering wood, buying and selling, and bearing burdens from one domain into another.

“Hanukkah Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Hanukkah!”) “Chag Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Holiday!”) “Chag Urim Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Festival of Lights!”)

On the first night of Hanukkah, place a candle in the holder on the far right, and light it with the shamash. Then put the shamash back in its spot (leaving it lit). On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash.

The historical event that is the basis for Hanukkah is told, rather, in the post-biblical Books of the Maccabees, which appear in the Catholic biblical canon but are not even considered part of the Bible by Jews and most Protestant denominations.

What celebrations did Jesus celebrate? ›

Christianity emphasizes faith in Jesus Christ, who gives grace, empowerment, and guidance for living the moral life. [2] Judaism teaches a life of holiness through performing mitzvot and emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Bible's standards of social justice as laid down by the Prophets.

Early American Jews almost certainly didn't celebrate Hanukkah. But in the late 19th and early 20th centuries — as the first wave of American Jews began to settle in the US and aspire to the middle class — they began to make a big deal out of the holiday.

Last night, President Obama, Vice President Biden and the First Lady welcomed friends and leaders from the Jewish community to celebrate the second night of Hanukkah at the White House. "So on this second night of Hanukkah," said President Obama, "Let us give thanks to the blessings that all of us enjoy.

Hanukkah, which means “dedication,” commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the Temple to the Hebrew god. According to the Talmud (one of Judaism's holy texts), the Seleucids left only one intact vial of oil, just enough to light the Temple's candelabrum for one day.

But, while blue and white decorations are largely an American phenomenon and not part of the holiday's celebration elsewhere, the most common reason cited for the color choice is an international one: blue and white are the colors of Israel's flag.

The appropriate response is "Aleichem Shalom" (עֲלֵיכֶם שָׁלוֹם) or "Upon you be peace." (cognate with the Arabic-language "assalamu alaikum" meaning "The peace [of ] be upon you.)" Perhaps the most common Hebrew farewell in Israel (English "bye" is also commonly used).

Hanukkah Colors: Blue and White

But there is a reason why the flag is blue and white — these colors have deep resonance within the Jewish tradition.

A more subtle difference is the double k in some spellings, such as Hanukkah, as opposed to the single one in others, such as Chanukah. This relates to a diacritic mark known as a dagesh: a small dot inside the Hebrew letter kaf (כּ) which changes how that letter is pronounced.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. Urim (pronounced “oo-reem”) is Hebrew for "lights," so chag urim sameach equates to wishing someone a “happy Festival of Lights.”

What is the difference between a menorah and a Chanukah? ›

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Hanukkah

A menorah, which has only seven candleholders, was the lamp used in the ancient holy temple in Jerusalem — now a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel. A Hanukkiah, however, has nine candlesticks — one for each night of Hanukkah and an extra one to light the others.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar which falls around December every year. Hanukkah originated two hundred years before Christmas, and sometimes referred to as Chanukah or the festival of lights.

First: Christmas is not a Jewish holiday at all. Not even close (and before you ask, no Hanukkah is not a Jewish version of Christmas). December 25th is just another normal day on the Jewish calendar.

Celebrate both holidays but separately

In doing this, you celebrate each holiday but keep their traditions separate from one another at different times. You could put up both Hanukkah and Christmas decorations, light the menorah and the Christmas tree, and exchange gifts for both holidays.

The first night ritual is joyous. I usually cook a family dinner laden with delicious fried foods, such as fried potato latkes and jelly donuts, to honor the miracle. After dinner, our family gathers to light the menorah candles, recite blessings, and sing songs.

First Day of Hanukkah 2023

The first day of Hanukkah marks the start of Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah or Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish observance that remembers the Jewish people's struggle for religious freedom. On the first day of Hanukkah, only the shammash and the first candle are lit.

Hanukkah is celebrated in several ways. In addition to lighting each day one candle on the menorah, religious rituals can include daily reading of Scripture, recitation of some of the Psalms, almsgiving, and singing of a special hymn.

Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shammash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods.

Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others. Families light one candle on the first day, two on the second (and so on) after sundown during the eight days of Hanukkah while reciting prayers and singing songs.

To their surprise, the menorah stayed lit for eight days, which was seven more days than they expected. The Jewish people attributed the surprising amount of time that the oil lasted to God (a miracle). Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration, and each day commemorates each day that the oil lasted.

What do you eat on Hanukkah day? ›

From latkes to sufganiyot, we eat fried food on Hanukkah to remember the ancient oil miracle. Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, Jewish families like mine celebrate by eating latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (fried jelly doughnuts).

One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, three on the third, through to the eighth night when all are lit. A special prayer is recited during the lighting and while the candles burn it is a time for songs and games, including the four-sided toy called dreidel. The dreidel is popular among children.

For many English speakers, the festival is also known for confusion over the spelling of its name: Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? The answer is that both are considered correct, though Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional. In addition, more than 20 other variations are recorded.

Seventh Night

Sufganiyot (Jelly Donuts) – As mentioned above, fried foods are a tradition for Hanukkah as are Sufganiyot or jelly-filled donuts. These bite-sized donuts are fun to make and even more fun to eat!

Some say the candles represent the two commandments to 'remember' and 'observe' Shabbat. Just before Shabbat begins, two candles are lit marking the division between light and darkness described in the story of Creation and a blessing is recited, generally by the matriarch of the house.

To wish someone a Happy Hanukkah, say “Hanukkah Sameach!” (Happy Hanukkah) or simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday). Or if you want to show off your Hebrew skills, say “Chag Urim Sameach!” (urim means “lights”).

Chanukah - Eight days - December - Tradition limits work only during the time that the Chanukah candles are lit.

“Hanukkah Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Hanukkah!”) “Chag Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Holiday!”) “Chag Urim Sameach!” (meaning, “Happy Festival of Lights!”)

Potato pancakes (latkes), doughnuts (sufganiyot), and other treats fried in oil, which recall the miracle of the oil, are popular. Children receive presents and gifts of money (Hanukkah gelt), which is sometimes distributed in the form of chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil.