Text size

From December 25 to January 2, Jewish people in Bulgaria and around the world will light Hanukkah candles

published on 12/25/24 10:35 AM

Hannukah celebration in the central Sofia synagogue

Photo: BGNES

At sunset on December 25, the Jewish community begins to celebrate Hanukkah. The holiday begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and, depending on the year, can fall in November or December.

By lighting 9 candles or ritual oil in the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, Jews commemorate the miracle of the second consecration of the Temple, when the myrrh burned for 9 days without being topped up.

The rededication of the Temple took place during the Maccabean revolt in 166 BC, when the Jews were freed from the rule of the Seleucids.

Like Christmas, Hanukkah is a family holiday, children receive gifts and treats for 8 days, and adults eat mainly dishes cooked with meat and oil.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria History and religion Hannukah hannukiah Jewish holiday Jews Maccabean revolt menorah

More from category

Father Julian Angelov – from Vidin to Berlin in service to God

Founding a Bulgarian Orthodox parish thousands of kilometers away from the homeland is no easy task, especially when the Bulgarian diaspora is scattered across vast distances. In Bulgaria we take for granted that every neighborhood in a large city has..

published on 7/28/25 1:48 PM

1800-year-old triangular tower discovered near Sofia

The Urvich Fortress continues to reveal its secrets from the time when Sofia was Roman Serdica. A triangular stone tower dating back to the end of the 2nd century was discovered by young archaeologists Dr. Filip Petrunov and..

published on 7/26/25 6:10 AM

Some of the rock churches are open to tourists

The valley of the monks: The churches in the valley of Rusenski Lom and its tributaries

In Northeastern Bulgaria the river Rusenski Lom and its tributaries – Cherni, Beli and Malki Lom – have carved out a rugged rocky landscape with hidden caves and hushed valleys where the only sound is that of the birdsong. People have settled in..

published on 7/22/25 1:05 PM