TAMPA, Fla. — The eight-day-long Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is set to begin this year in less than two weeks.
This holiday commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, History.com explains. The word "Hanukkah" actually means "dedication" in Hebrew.
Celebrations during this holiday entail the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games and gifts.
Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about 2023 Hanukkah.
When does Hanukkah start and end this year?
This year, Hanukkah starts at sunset on Thursday, Dec. 7. With Hanukkah lasting for eight days, the holiday will come to an end on Friday, Dec. 15.
How many candles are used for Hanukkah?
During each night of Hanukkah, you light one candle for each night plus an additional one called the shamash, the "helper" candle, which is lit first each night and used to light all the others.
So, on the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit, along with one other candle.
Over the course of the eight nights of Hanukkah, 44 candles will be used.
How do you set up Hanukkah candles?
After the shamash, the first candle goes to the spot on the far right of the menorah. On the second night, a second candle is also added to the immediate left of the previous night's candle, and so on for all eight nights. However, you light the newest candle (whichever is furthest left on the menorah) first and continue from left to right.
So while candles are placed right to left, you light them from left to right.
Which foods and traditions are popular for Hanukkah?
Traditional foods for Hanukkah are fried in oil and include fried potato pancakes, called latkes, and jelly donuts, called sufganiyot.
Latkes and sufganiyot are typically fried and are meant to commemorate the Hanukkah miracle of the oil lasting for eight nights.
People usually play with a four-sided spinning top called a dreidel and exchange gifts.
Previous TEGNA coverage contributed to this report.
