Hanukkah

Festival of Lights

An eight-day holiday celebrating the military victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the powerful Syrian-Greek influence in 167 BCE. The victory was followed by the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Later, the rabbis focused on the miracle of a small vial of oil keeping the menorah lit for eight days. Some say that the real miracle is we are still celebrating this event 2000 years later. Each night, as we light an additional candle on the Hanukkah menorah, we celebrate our capacity to fight the darkness of intolerance. The holiday is observed by lighting candles at home and in public. Fried foods are consumed to remind us of the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. It is a minor holiday and there is no requirement to abstain from work. We greet one another by saying Chag Sameach.

2024 Dates

Begins the evening of Wednesday, December 25