Hanukkah celebrates both an ancient military victory and a miracle of light – modern Jews can pick from either tradition
- Written by Joshua Shanes, Emanuel Ringelblum Professor in Jewish History, University of California, Davis
The main ritual of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah.skynesher/ E+ via Getty ImagesFriends and family will come together to celebrate, share gifts and eat traditional foods as the eight-day Jewish festival of Hanukkah begins on Dec. 14, 2025.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the center of ancient...