First Day of Hanukkah 2019

The first day of Hanukkah denotes the begin of Hanukkah. In the United States this year i.e.2019 Jewish people will observe the first day of Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) on the 23rd of December.

The celebration

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish recognition that recollects the Jewish individuals' battle for religious freedom. The 25th day of the month of Kislev is celebrated as the first day of Hanukkah.

Kislev is the third month of the civil year and the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar.



Hanukkah is the Feast of Dedication. The Jewish communities celebrate the holiday by lighting the Menorah, also called Chanukkiah, on the first night of Hanukkah i.e. 2nd December 2018. The Chanukkiah is a type of candelabrum consist of 9 holders. The head of the family lit the candles, one on each day using Shamash (The ninth light of the candelabrum). The Shamash is lightened before all the other candles.

To know more read: How to celebrate Hanukkah?

It is interesting to know the fact that this event is not a public holiday in many countries. Some of the Jewish schools or communities do follow vacations during the same time as Hanukkah.

The tradition

Hanukkah is inspired by some events happened during a particularly turbulent phase of Jewish history. The holiday is celebrated with the lighting of the Hanukkiah, eating traditional foods, playing dreidel and other games and giving gifts.