Hanukkah in Israel: An Overview
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival, beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in late November or December. In Israel, the holiday is widely observed as both a religious and a national festival. Day 5 refers to the fifth night of the eight-night celebration, when five candles (plus the shamash, or helper candle) are lit. Because the Hebrew calendar follows a lunar cycle, the exact Gregorian date of the fifth night shifts from year to year.
Origins and Significance in Israel
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, following the Maccabean revolt against Seleucid rule. The story of the small cruse of oil that burned for eight days is central to the holiday's name—Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew. In Israel, the festival carries additional national resonance, as it celebrates Jewish sovereignty and religious freedom in the Land of Israel. The Maccabees are often regarded in Israeli culture as early fighters for Jewish independence, and the holiday is sometimes framed as a celebration of Jewish national identity alongside its religious meaning.
Religious and Civic Observances
The central ritual of each night, including the fifth, is the lighting of the hanukkiah (a nine-branched menorah). The candles are lit after nightfall, and blessings are recited. On the fifth night, five candles are kindled, with the shamash set apart. The hanukkiah is traditionally placed in a window or doorway to publicize the miracle.
In Israel, the hanukkiah is a prominent public symbol. Large public menorah lightings are held in cities and towns, and the holiday is marked in schools, community centers, and synagogues. Because Hanukkah is not a major religious festival in the same way as the High Holidays, work and school generally continue, though schools often hold Hanukkah-themed activities and parties during the week.
Customs and Traditions
- Candle lighting: Each night, including the fifth, adds one more light, with blessings and songs such as Ma'oz Tzur.
- Singing and blessings: Traditional songs and the recitation of Hallel (psalms of praise) are part of the liturgy during Hanukkah.
- Dreidel (sevivon): The spinning top, called a sevivon in Hebrew, is a popular game, especially among children.
- Gift-giving: While gift-giving is more associated with Hanukkah in the Diaspora, in Israel it is less central; instead, the focus is on family gatherings, food, and public celebrations.
- Hanukkah gelt: Coins or chocolate coins are sometimes given, particularly to children.
Food and Drink
Foods fried in oil are customary, symbolizing the miracle of the oil. In Israel, the most iconic Hanukkah food is the sufganiyah, a jelly-filled doughnut that is widely sold in bakeries and cafes throughout the holiday. Another staple is levivot (potato pancakes, similar to latkes), often served with applesauce or sour cream. Dairy foods are also traditional in some communities, recalling the story of Judith. By the fifth night, many Israelis have already enjoyed multiple rounds of sufganiyot and levivot, and the holiday's culinary traditions remain in full swing.
Public Festivities and Regional Variations
Hanukkah in Israel is marked by a festive atmosphere. Public hanukkiah lightings take place in city squares, at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and in many towns. The holiday coincides with school vacations in some years, and families often take trips and gather for meals.
Regional variations exist. In Jerusalem, the holiday has a particularly religious character, with many public lightings and a focus on the city's holy sites. In Tel Aviv and other coastal cities, the celebrations tend to be more secular and commercial, with street parties, special events, and a strong emphasis on the sufganiyah culture. In the north, including Haifa and the Galilee, mixed Jewish and Arab communities may see shared public events, though Hanukkah remains a specifically Jewish holiday. In the south, including Beersheba and smaller towns, community lightings and school activities are common.
By the fifth night, the holiday is well underway, and the cumulative lighting of the hanukkiah—now five candles—serves as a visible reminder of the festival's progression toward its eighth and final night.