Hanukkah

Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is an important observance in the Jewish calendar, signifying the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following a successful revolt against Hellenistic oppressors. It represents the triumph of light over darkness and of hope over despair. The Hanukkah Ends or the eighth day, in particular, marks the conclusion of this commemoration, mirroring an important aspect of perseverance and survival throughout adversities by the Jewish people.

While Hanukkah’s roots trace back more than twenty centuries ago, the finishing event, Hanukkah Ends, bears important significance within the Jewish community in Israel today. It holds the symbolic reminder of the brave revolt led by the Maccabees against the Greek-Syrian rulers, a revolt that culminated in the miracle of the oil that lit the temple menorah for eight days. This fortitude embodied in Hanukkah Ends is particularly significant to the people of Israel as it validates the shared history, resilience, and collective identity of the Jewish community.

In Israel, the observance of Hanukkah and its conclusion is marked by lighting the menorah for eight nights in succession, with one extra light being added each night. Special prayers and songs exist to emphasize the joy of the festival, with notably increased emphasis on singing and celebratory gatherings on the final night as Hanukkah Ends. Traditional foods such as latkes and sufganiyot are often consumed during this time. The Hanukkah Ends falls on the 2nd or 3rd of the Tevet in the Hebrew Calendar, which usually corresponds to late December in the Gregorian Calendar used in Israel and around the world.