Hanukkah 2023: Tradition, Date, Dishes, Games, and Everything You Should Know

Hanukkah is a festival of lights, celebrated by Jews with family, food, and games, to remember a fabled story of resistance.

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is a time for Jews to come together with their loved ones and retell the inspiring story of resistance. It's a time for both celebration and reflection, marked by the presence of certain holiday symbols such as the menorah and the dreidel.

In 2023, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Thursday, December 7, and end at sundown on Friday, December 15, lasting for eight days and eight nights. The name "Hanukkah" means dedication in Hebrew, and it commemorates the victory of the Macabee soldiers over the Syrian Greek army, as well as the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem to God.

According to Jewish tradition, after reclaiming the temple, the Macabees had only enough oil to light the temple lamp for one night, but miraculously, the light burned for eight days. This miracle is remembered by lighting a candle on the menorah each night of Hanukkah.

The dates of Hanukkah are determined by the Hebrew calendar, with the first day always falling on the 25th day of Kislev. Throughout the holiday, Jews enjoy traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and play the game of dreidel, using chocolate "gelt" as currency.

Overall, Hanukkah is a time for Jews to come together, celebrate their faith, and honor their history and traditions. It's a time for joy, reflection, and the sharing of delicious food and meaningful experiences with loved ones.