How to celebrate Hanukkah 2021

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. To celebrate reclaiming the temple, they lit its lamp, but found they only had enough oil to keep it alight for a day. However, miraculously, the lamp stays lit for eight days.

This is why Hanukkah is observed by lighting a menorah – a candlestick with nine branches. By the end of the holiday, the menorah is fully aflame. At each lighting blessings are made before, and songs sung afterwards. Sometimes gifts can be exchanged.

When is Hanukkah 2021?

Hanukkah is an eight-day festival that traditionally kicks off on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. This year, that falls on Sunday 28 November. It runs until Monday 6 December.

How is Hanukkah celebrated?

Some Jewish people choose to celebrate Hanukkah in a similar way to Christmas, by giving gifts and sharing meals with friends and family.

Because oil for the menorah plays such an important role in the festival, many Hanukkah foods are deep fried in oil. Favourites include latkes and jelly doughnuts.

After lighting the candle each evening it is customary to spin a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top played with by children. Children are also given Hanukkah gelt, which is chocolate money.