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חֲנֻכָּה
Hanukkah 5787
The Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE, after the Maccabees' victory over the Seleucid Empire. The central mitzvah is lighting the chanukiah (Hanukkah menorah) — one candle the first night, adding one each night until all eight are lit. Traditional foods are fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
Hanukkah Traditions
How Jews observe Hanukkah around the world.
Lighting the chanukiah (Hanukkah menorah) each night for eight nights
Placing the chanukiah by the window or doorway to publicize the miracle
Singing traditional Hanukkah songs (Ma'oz Tzur, Al HaNissim)
Playing dreidel (a spinning top) for chocolate gelt
Giving Hanukkah gelt (gifts of money or chocolate coins)
Exchanging gifts (especially in North American communities)
Eating fried foods — latkes and sufganiyot
Reciting Hallel and Al HaNissim prayers
Hanukkah Food Guide
Traditional foods and where to find them.
Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
Crispy fried potato pancakes, the quintessential Hanukkah food in Ashkenazi tradition. Served with sour cream or applesauce.
Find nearbySufganiyot (Jelly Doughnuts)
Deep-fried jelly-filled doughnuts, especially popular in Israeli tradition. Available in endless flavors at kosher bakeries during Hanukkah.
Find nearbyBrisket
Slow-braised beef brisket is a Hanukkah dinner staple in many Ashkenazi households, often served alongside latkes.
Find nearbyRugelach
Crescent-shaped pastries filled with jam, chocolate, or nuts — a traditional holiday sweet from Jewish bakeries.
Find nearbyKashrut Notes for Hanukkah
Hanukkah itself has no additional kosher restrictions beyond standard kashrut — it is not a biblically mandated holiday like Passover or Rosh Hashanah
Hanukkah is not a Yom Tov — work is permitted and regular weekday restrictions apply
Fried foods should be made with kosher-certified oil
Dairy and meat meals are both traditional for Hanukkah — some families have dairy on some nights (commemorating Judith) and meat on others
Sufganiyot from kosher bakeries will be certified — watch for dairy vs. pareve versions
Hanukkah gelt (chocolate coins) should have a kosher certification
Find Kosher Food for Hanukkah
Browse certified kosher restaurants, bakeries, and caterers in your city.
Los Angeles
From Pico-Robertson to the Valley
New York City
The Kosher Capital of America
Miami
Sun, Sand, and Kosher Everything
Chicago
Deep Dish Meets Kosher Tradition
Brooklyn
The Heart of American Jewish Life
Lakewood
America's Fastest-Growing Kosher Hub
Teaneck
The Modern Orthodox Food Capital
Baltimore
Star-K Country — A Proud Kosher City
Philadelphia
From Rittenhouse to the Main Line
Houston
Texas-Sized Kosher Scene
Atlanta
Southern Hospitality Meets Kosher Cuisine
Dallas
Kosher in the Heart of Texas
San Diego
Kosher by the Coast
Denver
Mile-High Kosher Dining
Phoenix
Desert Oasis for Kosher Food
Boston
Where Tradition Meets Innovation
Detroit
Motor City's Kosher Scene
Cleveland
Heartland Kosher at Its Best
Seattle
Pacific Northwest Kosher
St. Louis
Gateway to Kosher
San Francisco
Bay Area Kosher Culture
Washington DC
The Nation's Kosher Capital
Las Vegas
Kosher Hits the Jackpot
New Jersey
The Kosher Corridor — Teaneck to Lakewood
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South Florida's Kosher Hub
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Hanukkah FAQs
Common questions about Hanukkah 5787.
When is Hanukkah 2026?
Hanukkah 2026 begins at nightfall on Sunday, December 14, and ends at nightfall on Monday, December 22. The first candle is lit on the night of December 14.
How many candles are on a Hanukkiah?
A chanukiah (Hanukkah menorah) has nine branches — eight candles for each night of Hanukkah plus one shamash (helper candle) used to light the others. On the first night, one candle plus the shamash; on the eighth night, all nine are lit.
Why do we eat fried food on Hanukkah?
The Talmud records that when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only one small jug of ritually pure olive oil — enough to last one day. Miraculously, it burned for eight days. Eating oil-fried foods (latkes, sufganiyot) commemorates this miracle of the oil.
What's the difference between Hanukkah and the American holiday season?
Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday in terms of religious significance — it's not one of the biblically commanded holidays. Gift-giving and prominence in North America increased partly due to proximity to Christmas. Religiously, the central mitzvah is lighting the chanukiah and publicizing the miracle.
Where can I find kosher Hanukkah food?
Kosher bakeries stock sufganiyot in large quantities during Hanukkah. Kosher grocery stores carry Hanukkah-themed items including gelt, candles, and holiday-packaged foods. Many kosher restaurants offer Hanukkah catering and special menus.
Get ready for Hanukkah
- Find every certified spot for the holiday in your city
- Filter by your exact hashgacha standard
- Save lists for holiday meal planning
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Read more about Hanukkah
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