Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish festival that begins on the 25th of Kislev and ends on the 2nd of Tevet. In 2026 (5787), Chanukah begins on Saturday, 5 December, and ends on Saturday, 12 December. The first Chanukah candles are lit on Friday evening, 4 December, before Shabbat, and the final candles are lit on Friday evening, 11 December. Chanukah, whose name means dedication, commemorates the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Greek-Syrian forces in the second century BCE. During the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Jewish people were forbidden to practise many of their religious observances, including Shabbat, brit milah and Torah study. The Beit HaMikdash was desecrated, and an altar to Greek worship was established there. In response to these persecutions, a brave Jewish priest named Mattityahu (Mattathias) from the Hasmonean family, who lived in the town of Modi'in, rose up against the Greek authorities. When he refused to participate in their pagan practices, he and his sons began a rebellion. After Mattityahu's death, his son Yehudah HaMaccabi (Judah the Maccabee) became the leader of the Jewish forces. Although the Jewish fighters were greatly outnumbered and faced a powerful army, they fought with courage, determination and faith in Hashem. With Hashem's help, Yehudah and his brothers, including Yonatan, Shimon, Yochanan and Elazar, led the Jewish people to victory and reclaimed Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash.
After their victory, Yehudah and his followers entered the Beit HaMikdash, removed the idols, cleaned and repaired the Sanctuary and prepared it once again for the service of Hashem. They found only one small flask of pure olive oil, bearing the seal of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest), which contained enough oil to keep the Menorah burning for just one day. Miraculously, the oil continued to burn for eight days, until a fresh supply of pure oil could be prepared. The following year, the Sages established these eight days as an annual festival of Chanukah, to be celebrated with the lighting of the Chanukah menorah, the recitation of Hallel and prayers of thanksgiving. The word Chanukah means dedication, referring to the rededication of the Beit HaMikdash. We celebrate by lighting an additional candle each night, increasing the light until all eight candles are burning. Chanukah reminds us of the triumph of Torah and faith over oppression, and teaches us that even when faced with overwhelming darkness, the light of Hashem can never be extinguished.