First Day of Hanukkah
December 5 - SATURDAY
Observance: Observance Holiday (India)
"The first night of the Jewish miracle celebration when one day's oil burned for eight days."
Begins the Jewish eight-day Festival of Lights celebrating the rededication of the Holy Temple.
Traditions:
- Lighting the first candle on the menorah (Hanukkiah) at sundown
- Playing the dreidel game and exchanging gelt (chocolate coins or money)
- Eating fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts)
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Fun Fact:
The menorah has nine branches—one for each night plus the shamash (helper candle) used to light the others.