Hanukkah in Israel: The Fourth Day
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. In Israel, it is observed as a national holiday season rather than a single day, and the fourth day is simply one point within that ongoing celebration. Because the festival is defined by the nightly kindling of lights, each day—including the fourth—is marked by the addition of one more light to the menorah (hanukkiah), bringing the total to four on that evening.
Origins and Meaning in Israel
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, following the Maccabean revolt against Hellenistic rule. The central miracle celebrated is that a small quantity of ritually pure oil, sufficient for one day, lasted eight days. In Israel, the festival carries additional national resonance: it is associated with Jewish sovereignty, religious freedom, and the return to Jerusalem, themes that align with the modern state's own narrative. The fourth day, like the others, is part of this dual religious and national commemoration.
Customs and Traditions
- Lighting the hanukkiah: Each evening, families and individuals light the hanukkiah, adding one candle per night. On the fourth night, four candles are lit, plus the shamash (helper candle). Blessings are recited before lighting.
- Placement: In Israel, many hanukkiot are placed near a window or doorway to publicize the miracle, though this practice varies by home.
- Prayer: The full Hallel is recited in synagogue services on each of the eight days, and special additions are made to the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
- School holidays: Israeli schools are on vacation during Hanukkah, so the fourth day often falls within a period of family activities and outings.
Food and Drink
- Sufganiyot: Jelly-filled doughnuts, deep-fried and often topped with powdered sugar, are the signature Hanukkah treat in Israel. They are sold in bakeries and cafes throughout the country.
- Levivot (latkes): Potato pancakes fried in oil are also traditional, though in Israel sufganiyot tend to dominate.
- Dairy foods: Some communities eat dairy foods, particularly cheese, in remembrance of Judith, though this is less central than the oil-fried foods.
- Oil: Foods fried in oil are eaten to recall the miracle of the oil.
Religious and Civic Observances
- Synagogue: Daily services include the Hanukkah additions; the fourth day is not distinct from the others in liturgy.
- Candle-lighting ceremonies: Public hanukkiah lightings are held in many cities, often attended by dignitaries and open to the public.
- National institutions: The Israel Defense Forces and other state bodies hold Hanukkah events, and the president and prime minister may participate in official lightings.
- Zot Hanukkah: The eighth day is considered the final day of the festival, but the fourth day has no unique civic designation.
Public Festivities
- City lightings: Large public hanukkiot are erected in city squares, and nightly lightings are accompanied by music and entertainment.
- Concerts and performances: Hanukkah is a peak season for concerts, theater, and children's shows across Israel.
- Museum and site events: Many museums, nature reserves, and heritage sites offer special Hanukkah programming, especially during the school vacation.
- Torch relay: A torch relay from Modi'in to Jerusalem is a notable annual event, though it is not specific to the fourth day.
Regional Variations
- Jerusalem: As the site of the original Temple, Jerusalem hosts many official and religious events. Public lightings near the Old City and at the Western Wall draw large crowds.
- Tel Aviv: The city is known for its secular and cultural celebrations, including street parties, concerts, and a strong emphasis on sufganiyot and nightlife.
- Haifa: The city's mixed Jewish and Arab population sometimes sees shared public events, though Hanukkah remains a Jewish festival.
- Development towns and rural areas: Community centers and local councils organize smaller-scale lightings and parties, often with a family focus.
Note on the Fourth Day
Within the eight-day structure, the fourth day has no unique rituals or civic status beyond the cumulative lighting of four candles. It is a midpoint of the festival, falling during the school vacation, and is marked by the same customs, foods, and public activities as the other days. Any specific events on that date vary by year and locality.