Hanukkah Countdown

 
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Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights — is an eight-day celebration beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, the Gregorian date of Hanukkah shifts significantly each year, falling anywhere between late November and late December. The first candle is lit at nightfall on the start date. This countdown calculates the first night of Hanukkah automatically using a pre-computed date table, displaying exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds remaining.

Hanukkah's shifting date makes it one of the most frequently searched holiday dates each year — Jewish families, gift shoppers, and greeting card planners all need to know exactly when it falls in any given year. It can overlap with Thanksgiving (rare), arrive before Christmas shopping season, or fall just after Christmas depending on the year.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When is Hanukkah this year?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which shifts significantly on the Gregorian calendar each year — falling anywhere between late November and late December. This countdown displays the exact start date for the current year automatically.
How long is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah lasts eight nights and eight days. One additional candle is lit on the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) each night, plus the shamash (helper candle), building from one candle on the first night to a fully lit menorah on the eighth night.
What is the story of Hanukkah?
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BCE after the Maccabees' victory over the Seleucid Empire. According to the Talmud, there was only enough oil to light the Temple menorah for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days — the origin of the eight-day celebration.
Is Hanukkah the most important Jewish holiday?
No. In terms of religious significance, Hanukkah is a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Passover carry far greater religious weight. Hanukkah's cultural prominence in North America grew largely from its proximity to Christmas and the gift-giving traditions that developed around that proximity.
What are traditional Hanukkah foods?
Traditional Hanukkah foods are fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil: latkes (potato pancakes) with sour cream or applesauce, and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are the most popular. Dairy dishes are also traditional in some communities.
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