Hanukkah in Israel
Hanukkah is a holiday in Israel.
When is Hanukkah in Israel
Hanukkah is celebrated on 08, December, 2023 in Israel.
About Hanukkah in Israel
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated in Israel and around the world. It is an eight-day festival that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after it was seized by the Seleucid Empire in the second century BCE.
In Israel, Hanukkah is celebrated with great enthusiasm, and it is one of the most festive holidays of the year. The holiday is marked by the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum that symbolizes the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Holy Temple.
Throughout Israel, people light menorahs in their homes, public places, and synagogues. The holiday is also marked by the consumption of traditional foods, such as sufganiyot (jelly donuts), latkes (potato pancakes), and other fried foods.
In addition to the traditional celebrations, Hanukkah in Israel is also marked by a range of cultural events, including concerts, plays, and other performances. Many cities and towns also host street fairs and other outdoor events, which are a popular way to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.
Overall, Hanukkah is a joyous and festive time in Israel, and it is a time when people come together to celebrate their shared history and culture.
History of Hanukkah in Israel
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. The story of Hanukkah dates back to the time when the Seleucid Empire, led by King Antiochus IV, conquered Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple by sacrificing pigs on the altar and erecting a statue of Zeus.
A group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, rose up against the Seleucid Empire and managed to recapture the Temple. According to legend, they found only enough oil to light the Temple’s menorah for one day, but miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days until more could be found.
Hanukkah was celebrated in Israel during the time of the Second Temple, but it was not until the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948 that it became a national holiday. Today, Hanukkah is celebrated throughout Israel with the lighting of menorahs, the playing of dreidel games, and the eating of traditional foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
In addition to its religious significance, Hanukkah has also taken on a cultural and nationalistic meaning in Israel, symbolizing the resilience and perseverance of the Jewish people in the face of adversity.
How is Hanukkah celebrated in Israel
Hanukkah is celebrated in Israel in a variety of ways, including:
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Lighting the Menorah: The most important tradition of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah. Each night of the holiday, one additional candle is lit until all eight candles are burning on the final night. In Israel, public menorah lightings are held in public places, and many families light their own menorahs at home.
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Eating Fried Foods: Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and one of the traditional foods eaten during the holiday is fried foods. In Israel, people enjoy sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) during Hanukkah.
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Playing Dreidel: Another popular tradition during Hanukkah is playing dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side. Children and adults alike enjoy playing dreidel games during the holiday.
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Giving Gifts: In Israel, it is common to exchange gifts during Hanukkah, especially among children. Many families also donate money or gifts to charity during the holiday.
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Attending Festivals and Parades: Throughout Israel, there are many Hanukkah festivals and parades held during the holiday. These events often feature live music, dancing, and other festive activities.
Dates
Hanukkah will be celebrated in Israel on 2023-12-08, 2023-12-09, 2023-12-10, 2023-12-11, 2023-12-12, 2023-12-13, 2023-12-14, 2023-12-15, 2024-12-26, 2024-12-27, 2024-12-28, 2024-12-29, 2024-12-30, 2024-12-31, 2025-01-01, 2025-01-02, 2025-12-15, 2025-12-16, 2025-12-17, 2025-12-18, 2025-12-19, 2025-12-20, 2025-12-21, 2025-12-22, 2026-12-05, 2026-12-06, 2026-12-07, 2026-12-08, 2026-12-09, 2026-12-10, 2026-12-11, 2026-12-12, 2027-12-25, 2027-12-26, 2027-12-27, 2027-12-28, 2027-12-29, 2027-12-30, 2027-12-31 in the comming years.