Chanukah

What is Chanukah and When Do We Celebrate It?

The name ‘Chanukah’ means ‘dedication’. The name commemorates the rededication of the Temple. An alternate explanation is that the word 'chanukah' consists of two parts: ‘Chanu’ means ‘they rested’ and ‘kah’ means ‘twenty five’. This recalls the day when the fighting stopped and the Temple was rededicated. 

Chanukah is referred to as ‘The Festival of Lights’ or by another name, ‘Chag HaUrim’. This name describes the main features of Chanukah, which involves the lighting of a chanukiah (a candelabrum with nine lights). We celebrate Chanukah for eight days, from the 25th of Kislev.

Chanukah Candle Lighting dates for 2018 (5779)

Menorah Candle to Light Date
Menorah 1 Candle Light 1st candle Sunday evening December 22, 2019
Menorah 2 Candles Light 2nd candle Monday evening December 23, 2019
Menorah 3 Candles Light 3rd candle Tuesday evening December 24, 2019
Menorah 4 candles Light 4th candle Wednesday evening December 25, 2019
Light 5th candle Thursday evening December 26, 2019
Menorah 6 Candles Light 6th candle Friday evening December 27, 2019
Menorah 7 candles Light 7th candle Saturday evening December 28, 2019
Menorah 8 candles Light 8th candle Sunday evening December 29, 2019