Today marks the first night of Hanukkah, a festival observed by Jewish communities for eight days and eight nights. The celebration centers on lighting candles, gathering with family, singing traditional songs, exchanging small gifts, reciting prayers, and enjoying foods that shine with symbolism and history. Latkes, fried in oil to recall the miracle of oil lasting eight days, sit alongside sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts, and other seasonal treats. The dates drift within the Gregorian calendar because they align with Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, usually landing in late autumn or early winter. In the current year, Hanukkah begins in early December and runs across eight nights, with the exact start date shifting each year; for example, in 2023 it stretched from December 8 to December 16. Across many communities, the festival becomes a time for storytelling, memories, and shared meals that bring families together under the glow of the menorah, which is often called a hanukkiah for its nine candles.
In Hebrew, the word Hanukkah means dedication, a nod to the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt. The name underscores a moment of renewal and resilience that resonates beyond religious ritual, touching culture, music, and everyday life in households that observe the holiday today. Scholars note that the observance has evolved to include seasonal gatherings, charitable acts, and intergenerational teaching about history and faith. The lights symbolize perseverance and hope, a message that travels beyond borders and into North American homes, classrooms, and communities where Hanukkah is celebrated alongside other winter festivities.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Hanukkah is spelled in several ways across languages and communities, including Chanukah, Chanukkah, and Hanukah, a variation discussed by language scholars and reflected in different calendars and pronunciation traditions.
- Although it began as a relatively modest religious observance, Hanukkah has gained broad cultural recognition since the 19th century, largely because it occurs during the broader winter holiday season. This visibility has helped it become a familiar festival for many people around the world, especially in North America, where the season fosters public awareness and family traditions.
- Historically, Hanukkah was not one of the major Jewish holidays, but its proximity to Christmas and its themes of light and hope led to rapid growth in celebration and awareness. In recent times, it has become one of the most widely observed holidays by Jewish people and their communities globally, with variants in customs and cuisines reflecting local cultures.
- The Hanukkiah, a nine-branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah, is the correct term for the candle holder; the menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum used in other Jewish rituals. In practice, many people use the term menorah interchangeably, though hanukkiah is the precise name for the Hanukkah lights.
- Gift-giving expanded as Hanukkah grew in popularity in the United States and Canada, with families often exchanging small presents each night during the eight days, a custom that strengthened its communal and commercial appeal.
Readers who celebrate Hanukkah in North America often find that the festival blends with the broader December holiday season, bringing together school rituals, community events, and family traditions. The celebration emphasizes light over darkness, memory over forgetting, and togetherness during the winter. In this context, the stories of the Maccabees, the rededication of the Temple, and the miracle of oil become living, shared living history, passed from elders to younger generations. Will there be celebrations this year? Communities may share their plans, dishes, and songs in gatherings and online spaces that emphasize warmth, heritage, and the joy of lighting each new night of Hanukkah together with friends and family.