🕎 Hanukkah Countdown
December 5, 2026
About Hanukkah
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The miracle of Hanukkah is that a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days in the Temple menorah. Each night of Hanukkah, a candle is added to the hanukkiah (special nine-branched menorah), with blessings, songs, and often gifts exchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Hanukkah start?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which falls in November or December in the Gregorian calendar. The exact date changes each year.
Why are foods fried in oil eaten on Hanukkah?
Foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are traditional because they commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Temple.