Hanukkah in Israel: The Second Day
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. In Israel, the second day is not a separate holiday with its own name; rather, it is the second night and day of the same continuous festival. Each of the eight nights is marked by the lighting of one additional candle on the hanukkiah (the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah), so on the second night two candles are lit, plus the shamash (the helper candle used to light the others).
What the Day Means in Israel
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, after the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Greek rulers who had desecrated the Temple. The Talmud relates that a small quantity of ritually pure oil, enough for one day, miraculously burned for eight days. In Israel, Hanukkah carries a strong national as well as religious resonance: it is associated with Jewish sovereignty, resistance to oppression, and the reestablishment of Jewish life in the land of Israel. The second day is simply a continuation of this theme, with the added candle symbolizing the growing light and the ongoing miracle.
Origins in Israel
The events commemorated by Hanukkah took place in the land of Israel, chiefly in Jerusalem and the surrounding region of Judea. The Maccabees, a family of priests from Modi'in, led the revolt and subsequently established the Hasmonean dynasty. Because the story is rooted in this geography, Hanukkah is widely regarded in Israel as a festival that celebrates the country's own ancient history. The second day has no distinct historical origin of its own; it is part of the same eight-day commemoration established by the rabbis.
Religious Observances
- Candle lighting: On the second night, two candles plus the shamash are lit after nightfall. The candles are placed in the hanukkiah from right to left and lit from left to right, with the newest candle lit first. The blessings are recited before lighting, and the traditional hymn Ma'oz Tzur is sung afterward.
- Synagogue services: The full Hallel (psalms of praise) is recited each morning of Hanukkah, and the Torah reading includes the account of the Temple dedication and the offerings brought by the tribal leaders. The second day follows the same pattern as the other days.
- Al HaNissim: A special insertion of thanksgiving for the miracles is added to the Amidah prayer and to the Grace After Meals throughout the festival, including the second day.
- Hanukkiah placement: Many Israelis place their hanukkiah in a window or doorway facing the street, in keeping with the custom of publicizing the miracle.
Customs and Traditions
- Family gatherings: The evening candle lighting is typically a home-centered ritual, with family members gathered together. On the second night, the atmosphere is still fresh and festive, and children often receive small gifts or Hanukkah gelt (coins or chocolate coins).
- Singing: Traditional songs such as Ma'oz Tzur, Hanerot Halalu, and children's songs like Sevivon Sov Sov Sov and Mi Yemalel are sung around the hanukkiah.
- Spinning the dreidel (sevivon): The four-sided top, marked with Hebrew letters standing for "A great miracle happened there" (in Israel, the letters form "A great miracle happened here"), is a popular game, especially among children.
- School vacations: Israeli schools are on holiday during Hanukkah, so the second day often falls within a period of family outings and activities.
Food and Drink
- Sufganiyot: Jelly-filled doughnuts, usually topped with powdered sugar, are the signature Hanukkah food in Israel. They are sold in bakeries and cafes throughout the country and are eaten especially on the nights of the festival.
- Levivot (latkes): Potato pancakes fried in oil are also traditional, though in Israel sufganiyot tend to dominate.
- Fried foods: Because the miracle involved oil, foods fried in oil are customary. This includes both sufganiyot and levivot, as well as other fried treats.
- Dairy foods: Some communities eat dairy foods during Hanukkah, linked to the story of Judith, though this is less central than the oil-fried foods.
Civic and Public Festivities
- Public candle lighting: Many municipalities hold public candle-lighting ceremonies in city squares, malls, and community centers. On the second night, these events continue with music, speeches, and entertainment.
- Hanukkah torch relay: A torch relay from Modi'in to Jerusalem is a notable modern Israeli tradition, often held during the festival, symbolizing the spread of light and the connection to the Maccabean legacy.
- Cultural events: Museums, theaters, and community centers offer special Hanukkah programs, concerts, and activities for children during the school vacation.
- Lighting in public institutions: Hanukkiot are lit in government offices, army bases, hospitals, and public institutions, reflecting the festival's broad civic recognition.
Regional Variations
Israel is a small country, and Hanukkah observance is broadly similar across regions. Nonetheless, some variations exist:
- Jerusalem: As the site of the Temple and the focus of the Hanukkah story, Jerusalem has a particularly strong connection to the festival. Public events and the torch relay often culminate here, and the city's religious neighborhoods place heavy emphasis on the candle lighting and synagogue rituals.
- Modi'in: The city identified as the ancient home of the Maccabees hosts events tied to the festival's origins, including the start of the torch relay.
- Tel Aviv and coastal cities: These areas tend to emphasize public, cultural, and commercial celebrations, with large public candle lightings, street events, and a strong focus on sufganiyot and family entertainment.
- Mixed cities and Arab towns: In cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations, and in some Arab towns, Hanukkah is marked mainly by the Jewish residents, while the school vacation and some commercial aspects are shared more broadly.
- Religious vs. secular communities: The most significant variation is not geographic but communal. Religious and traditional communities emphasize the full liturgy, candle lighting, and blessings, while secular Israelis often focus on family gatherings, food, gifts, and public festivities.
Summary
The second day of Hanukkah in Israel is part of an eight-day festival that blends religious observance with national and cultural celebration. It is marked by the lighting of two candles, special prayers, family gatherings, fried foods such as sufganiyot, and a wide range of public events. While the core customs are consistent nationwide, the emphasis varies between Jerusalem, Modi'in, the coastal cities, and different religious and secular communities, all sharing the same theme of light, miracle, and Jewish continuity.