Hanukkah 2024 began on Dec. 25 – coinciding in a rare convergence with Christmas Day – ushering in eight days of celebration, tradition, and light that will continue through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. Each evening, Jewish families worldwide will gather to kindle the Hanukkah lights, commemorating both the miraculous lasting of a single day's cruse of oil for eight days and the triumphant victory of the Hasmoneans over their Greek oppressors.
When should you light the candles?
Lighting times vary according to tradition, with Ashkenazi Jews kindling the lights at sunset while Sephardic Jews begin at nightfall, approximately 12 minutes after the sun has set. During Shabbat, light Hanukkah candles before Shabbat candles on Friday evening, and after Havdalah on Saturday night.
How should you light the menorah?
Each night follows a specific order: on the first night, place and light a single candle at the far right of the menorah. On the second night, add a new candle to the left of the first one, light the new candle first, then the original one. Continue this pattern each night, adding a new candle to the left and lighting from left to right (newest to oldest). This sequence, following the Shulchan Aruch tradition, captures the essence of the holiday – that light and holiness should always increase, never diminish.
Key Hanukkah traditions
Candle lighting: Throughout the eight days of Hanukkah, candles are lit each evening. Starting with one candle on the first night, an additional candle is added each evening until reaching eight. The menorah should be placed in a visible location, such as a window facing the street, to publicize the miracle of the oil cruse. Customs differ between communities: Ashkenazi tradition has each family member light their own menorah, while Sephardic custom calls for the head of household to light for everyone.
Traditional foods: Hanukkah is known for foods fried in oil, commemorating the miracle of the oil cruse:
- Sufganiyot: Doughnuts filled with jelly, cream, or chocolate, featuring an array of innovative flavors that change yearly.
- Latkes: Potato or cheese pancakes, served as a warming traditional holiday dish.
Spinning the dreidel: The dreidel stands as one of Hanukkah's most distinctive customs. In Israel, the dreidel bears the Hebrew letters נ (nun), ג (gimel), ה (hey), and פ (peh), representing the Hebrew phrase "A Great Miracle Happened Here", while outside Israel, the peh is replaced with ש (shin), representing "A Great Miracle Happened There". The game has evolved into both an educational tool and a joyful symbol for children.
Hanukkah gelt: The tradition of giving money to children on Hanukkah remains a beloved custom. It includes giving either silver coins or chocolate coins wrapped in gold and silver foil, symbolizing generosity and joy.
