Chanukah is an eight-day festival beginning on the 25th of Kislev. Its laws and meaning are rooted in the Gemara (Shabbat 21b), the Rambam’s Hilchot Chanukah, and the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 670–682). The festival commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from the decrees of the Greek-Syrian Empire and the miracles Hashem performed during the era of the Second Temple.
During that time, Antiochus IV imposed decrees forbidding Torah learning, Shabbat, circumcision, and many other mitzvot. The Beit HaMikdash was defiled, and its holy service interrupted. A small group of Kohanim—the Chashmonaim—rose up with great courage and devotion. Hashem granted them victory over a far superior army, as we recount in Al HaNissim, delivering “the strong into the hands of the weak and the many into the hands of the few.” When the Chashmonaim reclaimed the Temple, they searched for undefiled oil to rekindle the Menorah. They found only one sealed flask that would last for a single day, yet the oil miraculously burned for eight days until new pure oil was prepared. This miracle became the basis of the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah lights.
The central mitzvah of Chanukah is lighting the menorah. According to the Gemara and the Rambam, the ideal place to light is at the entrance of the home opposite the mezuzah, creating a symbolic “embrace” of mitzvot and maximizing publicizing the miracle. Many communities today follow the custom of placing the menorah near a window where it can be seen from the street. The candles are lit after sunset and must burn for at least half an hour after nightfall. On Friday, they are lit earlier, before Shabbat candles; on Motza’ei Shabbat, they are lit only after Havdalah.
Halachah teaches that the candles should be arranged in a single straight line, all at the same height (except for the shamash, which should be distinct). Each night we add one additional candle, starting with one on the first night and reaching eight on the final night. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, meaning the newest candle is placed at the far left. However, when lighting, we light from left to right, beginning with the newest candle first. This demonstrates the principle of ma’alin bakodesh—increasing holiness.
The candles must be lit in such a way that they burn independently. They should not lean against each other or receive support from one another. Oil and wicks are ideal, as mentioned by the Rambam, but wax candles are fully acceptable. The flames themselves may not be used for any practical purpose; they are holy, and their role is to publicize the miracle, not to serve as ordinary light.
Before lighting, we recite the blessings. On the first night, the blessings are Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah, She’asa Nisim La’avoteinu, and Shehecheyanu. On subsequent nights, only the first two blessings are recited. After lighting, it is the widespread custom to recite HaNerot Halalu, declaring that the lights are sacred and exist solely for commemorating the miracles Hashem performed. Throughout the festival, Al HaNissim is added to Shemoneh Esrei and Birkat HaMazon, and full Hallel is recited each morning, reflecting the joy and gratitude of the chag.
Chanukah carries many beloved minhagim. Eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot, recalls the miracle of the oil. Children play dreidel, whose letters stand for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” reminding them of the miracle in an enjoyable way. Giving Chanukah gelt, mentioned by the Rema, encourages children in Torah learning and tzedakah.
Chanukah lasts eight days, corresponding to the miracle of the oil. Although not a biblical festival, it was established by the Chachamim so that the miracles and salvation of that time would be remembered throughout all generations. Commentaries such as the Maharal and Sfat Emet describe Chanukah as the triumph of spiritual light over the darkness of Greek ideology, purity over impurity, and Torah values over assimilation. The lights of Chanukah serve as an annual reminder of the Jewish mission to illuminate the world with holiness and to recognize the kindness and miracles that Hashem bestows upon us.