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When is Chanukah?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Miscellaneous » The Jewish Calendar | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts for eight days.1


For the year 2010, Chanukah starts at sundown, Wednesday, December 1st, and ends at nightfall, Thursday, December 9th. [Click here for the exact times of sunset and nightfall for any location.]


Chanukah celebrates the Jewish victory over the Greek army and the subsequent miraculous kindling of the Temple Menorah. Click here to read more about What is Chanukah? and How is Chanukah celebrated?.  


The following are the beginning dates for Chanukah for the next few years:


2011 -- sundown, December 20


2012 -- nightfall, December 24


2013 -- sundown, November 27

Footnotes

  • 1. Due to a quirk in the Jewish calendar, Chanukah can end on the 2nd or the 3rd of Tevet -- depending on whether Kislev of that particular year had 29 or 30 days.

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Holidays » Chanukah » About
Chanukah
An eight day mid-winter holiday marking: 1) The miraculous defeat of the mighty Syrian-Greek armies by the undermanned Maccabis in the year 140 BCE. 2) Upon their victory, the oil in the Menorah, sufficient fuel for one night only, burned for eight days and nights.
Kislev
The ninth month on the Jewish calendar, normally corresponding to November-December. The holiday of Chanukah starts on the 25th of this month.
Menorah
Candelabra. Usually a reference to the nine-branched candelabra kindled on the holiday of Chanukah.
Temple
1. Usually a reference to the Holy Temple which was/will be situated in Jerusalem. 1st Temple was built in 825 BCE and was destroyed in 423 BCE. The 2nd Temple was built in 350 BCE and was destroyed in 70 CE. The 3rd Temple will be built by the Messiah. 2. A synagogue.