Chanukah
Hanukkah (Hebrew: חֲנֻכָּה, usually spelled חנוכה pronounced [χanuˈka] in Modern Hebrew, also romanized as Chanukah or Chanuka), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
Maftir:
· 17 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
1:
· 5 p’sukim
2:
· 5 p’sukim
3:
· 5 p’sukim
4:
· 6 p’sukim
1:
· 5 p’sukim
2:
· 5 p’sukim
3:
· 5 p’sukim
4:
· 6 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 40 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 11 p’sukim
7:
· 7 p’sukim
Maftir:
· 6 p’sukim
Haftarah:
· 21 p’sukim
About Chanukah
Beyond the historical rededication, Chanukah's enduring themes are religious freedom, the resilience of the few against the many, and the triumph of light over darkness. Rabbinic tradition emphasizes the miracle of the oil: a single cruse of consecrated oil, enough for one day, kept the Temple menorah burning for eight days. Because Chanukah is a rabbinic (post-biblical) festival rather than one mandated in the Torah, it carries no work prohibition on its weekdays. Its central religious gesture is pirsumei nisa, "publicizing the miracle," which shapes nearly every custom of the holiday.
When it’s observed
Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and runs eight days, ending on the 2nd or 3rd of Tevet depending on whether Kislev that year has 29 or 30 days. On the Gregorian calendar it falls anytime from late November to late December (in 2026, the evening of Friday December 4 through Saturday December 12). As with all Jewish days, observance begins at sundown the evening before, with the first candle lit on the eve of 25 Kislev. Unlike the pilgrimage festivals, Chanukah is eight days everywhere, with no difference between Israel and the Diaspora.
The readings & trope
The Torah is read on all eight days (three people called up), drawn from the gifts of the twelve tribal princes (the nesi'im) in Parashat Naso, Numbers 7 continuing into 8:4, apportioned across the days by prince. On the 6th day, which is Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the Rosh Chodesh reading from Numbers 28 is added. There is no weekday Haftarah. On a Shabbat that falls during Chanukah, two scrolls are taken out and the Haftarah is Zechariah 2:14-4:7, chosen for its vision of the golden Temple menorah ("Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit"); in the years with a second Shabbat during Chanukah, that Haftarah is I Kings 7:40-50. Chanukah has no Megillah of its own. It uses the standard Torah and Haftarah cantillation, with no special holiday trope melody (unlike Eicha on Tisha B'Av, Esther on Purim, or the High Holiday trope). TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice the standard Torah and Haftarah cantillation used for these readings, including the Shabbat Chanukah Haftarah from Zechariah. The exact verse-by-verse split of Numbers 7 across the eight days varies slightly by rite (Ashkenazi vs. Sephardi), so consult your community's chumash or siddur for the precise apportionment.
Customs
The signature custom is lighting the nine-branched chanukiah each night, adding one flame nightly from one up to eight, plus the shamash ("helper") used to kindle the others, traditionally placed in a window or doorway to publicize the miracle. Blessings are recited over the candles. Liturgically, full Hallel is recited all eight mornings, Al HaNissim ("for the miracles") is added to the Amidah and Birkat HaMazon, and Tachanun is omitted. Foods fried in oil recall the oil miracle: latkes (potato pancakes, Ashkenazi) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts, Israeli and Sephardi). Children play dreidel (sevivon), a four-sided spinning top, and receive Chanukah gelt (coins, now often chocolate) and gifts.
Frequently asked questions
What is Chanukah?
Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah, meaning "dedication") is an eight-day Jewish festival, the Festival of Lights, commemorating the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. It celebrates the miracle of the oil, in which a one-day supply of consecrated oil kept the Temple menorah burning for eight days. It is a rabbinic festival, so work is permitted on its weekdays.
When is Chanukah?
Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and lasts eight days, ending on the 2nd or 3rd of Tevet. On the Gregorian calendar it falls anytime from late November to late December (in 2026, the evening of December 4 through December 12). The first candle is lit at sundown on the eve of 25 Kislev, and the holiday is eight days in both Israel and the Diaspora.
What is read on Chanukah?
The Torah is read on all eight days from the gifts of the tribal princes in Parashat Naso (Numbers 7 continuing to 8:4), divided across the days. On the 6th day, Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the Rosh Chodesh reading from Numbers 28 is added. There is no weekday Haftarah; on Shabbat Chanukah the Haftarah is Zechariah 2:14-4:7 (the golden menorah vision), and on a second Shabbat, when it occurs, I Kings 7:40-50. Chanukah has no Megillah of its own.
Does Chanukah have a special cantillation (trope)?
No. Chanukah uses the standard Torah and Haftarah cantillation and has no special holiday trope melody, unlike the distinctive tropes for Tisha B'Av (Eicha), Purim (Esther), or the High Holidays. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice the standard cantillation for the daily Torah readings and the Shabbat Chanukah Haftarah.
Where to go next
Open a sample reading with Hebrew text, trope marks, and audio to see how TropeTrainer works.
How the Haftarah, the Five Megillot, and the High Holiday Torah readings are chanted.
Guided lessons on Torah cantillation, from the basic symbols to advanced phrases.