Discover the Rich History of Hanukkah and Its Changing Dates on the Jewish Calendar
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated Jewish holidays. This eight-day festival holds deep meaning within the Jewish community, commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrian-Greek army in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is not only a remembrance of historical events, but also a celebration of the miraculous victory of the Maccabees—a determined group of Jewish fighters—over a powerful empire.
To understand when Hanukkah occurs, it’s important to explore the Jewish calendar, which differs significantly from the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. Hanukkah’s dates shift each year because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar—based on both the cycles of the moon and the sun. Each month begins with the new moon, but the calendar is periodically adjusted to stay aligned with the solar year, ensuring holidays remain in their proper seasons. As a result, Hanukkah falls on different Gregorian dates every year.
The Historical Significance of Hanukkah
The origins of Hanukkah trace back to the second century BCE, when the Jewish people lived under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Jewish religious practices were outlawed, and the Second Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated with pagan idols and forbidden sacrifices. In response, Judah Maccabee and his brothers led a successful revolt against the Syrian-Greek forces, triumphing despite overwhelming odds.
Upon reclaiming the Temple, the Jewish people sought to purify and rededicate it. According to tradition, they discovered only a small flask of ritually pure olive oil—enough to light the Temple’s menorah for a single day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days, providing time to prepare new consecrated oil. This event is the foundation of Hanukkah, celebrated with the lighting of the menorah, special prayers, and traditional foods.
How the Jewish Calendar Works
The Jewish, or Hebrew, calendar is a lunisolar system that combines lunar months with solar years. Each month begins with the new moon and lasts either 29 or 30 days. Since twelve lunar months total about 354 days—roughly 11 days shorter than
