The Jewish festival of Hanukkah begins on the same night every year: the 25th of Kislev. The traditional Jewish calendar is based on lunar months of either 29 or 30 days, that means that the holiday can fall anywhere from Nov. 27 to Dec. 26.
The lunar year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so the calendars don't line up exactly. The Gregorian calendar uses leap days to fix the difference, but the lunar calendar needs a leap month.
The word “Hanukkah” derives from a Hebrew verb meaning “to dedicate.” The holiday, which is observed for eight nights and days, commemorates the rededication of Jerusalem’s temple after the successful second-century B.C. Maccabean Revolt.
The miracle of the oil: In the temple, they found only sacred oil for one day’s lighting of the menorah. Miraculously, it continued burning for eight days, long enough for a new supply to be pressed and prepared.
Dreidel Menorah Earrings
Hanukkah Family Shirts
2 Holiday are Better than One
For Hanukkah blessings, click here.
More about the Festival of Lights, click here.
See more ideas on Pinterest here.
