Hanukkah 2020

We are down to the final weeks of 2020 and will officially start the December holiday season in the United States. While the world is still grappling with the pandemic, this festive month allows us a moment of reflection and connection with those we love that is cherished now more than ever.

Kicking off this week is the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה) a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. While it translates to "dedication" in Hebrew, it is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which is Thursday 12/10 this year. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah (or hanukkiah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shamash. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. This represents the eight nights that one jar of oil, that typically lasts for a single night, magically burned for eight days in the Maccabee's menorah in Jerusalem.
 

During the Hanukkah holiday, families eat latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (round jelly doughnuts), and other foods while playing the game of dreidel to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights. Since the 1970's, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.

Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere among secular Jews as a Jewish alternative to Christmas, and is often celebrated correspondingly fervently. Gifts are often given each night after the menorah candles are lit and chocolate gelt )that represent gold coins) are shared and eaten. 

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