Hanukkah is Here!

First, let us say that our prayers are with the victims in the recent shooting in Australia at the Hanukkah festival on Bondi Beach.

The 8 nights of Hanukkah started at sundown December 14th and continue through sundown Monday, December 22, 2025. It often falls on or near our Christmas celebration but shifts every year because the Jewish calendar follows a lunar cycle. Hanukkah begins each year on the 25th day of Kislev.

Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is considered more of a minor holiday in the Jewish world, although its nearness to Christmas has heightened awareness of it in America. The story goes that Syrian king Antiochus conquered the Hebrew people and ordered them to abandon the Torah and publicly worship the Greek gods. He used a Grecian army to enforce this decree and they invaded the Temple in Jerusalem, even making a non-kosher animal sacrifice. 

This led to a revolt by the Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, or Judah, “the Hammer.” The Hebrews, badly outnumbered, managed to retake the Temple and immediately set about to cleanse the place of worship before they could rededicate it to Ha’Shem, or Yahweh. 

According to the Talmud, almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. They found only a single container that was still sealed by the High Priest, with barely enough consecrated oil to light the candelabra, called a menorah, for a single day. But a miracle occurred - the oil lasted eight days while the Maccabees finished the cleansing ritual, buried the desecrated altar stones and rebuilt the altar.

Eight Nights of Celebration

Jews remember the miracle of the oil and the success of the small rebellion every year by lighting candles on a menorah, or Chanukiah, adding one each night until the eight days are complete. Families often sing Hanukkah songs, eat special foods, play dreidel, and give small gifts, including chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, or gelt. Meals are shared with extended family, offering the opportunity to reconcile. 

The foods are items like potato pancakes, or latkes; sufganiyot, doughnuts filled with jam; and fried dough balls known as bimuelos, drizzled with honey or syrup and panelle. These foods are significant because they are fried in oil. Brisket, noodle kugel, matzo ball soup, and challah bread are also popular. 

More traditional Hanukkah celebrations also offer opportunities to be generous. Families give to the poor so that they may buy candles. Just prior to and during World War II, it was common for children to go door to door with blue donation boxes, collecting money to reclaim the Holy Land. 

Psalm 30 is often recited on Hanukkah, especially on the first day. The Psalm is associated with the holiday because of its invocation: “A psalm; a song of dedication of the House of David. I will exalt You, O Lord, for You have raised me up, and You have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me. O Lord, I have cried out to You, and You have healed me. O Lord, You have brought my soul from the grave; You have revived me from my descent into the Pit. Sing to the Lord, His pious ones, and give thanks to His holy name.

Sharing with the World

Unlike many of the Jewish holidays, lighting the candelabra on Hanukkah is not for the benefit of the family inside, but for "illumination of the house without." Except in times of danger, the menorah is lit to be shared so that anyone walking by can see it and be reminded of the holiday's miracle. 

Whether you are of Jewish descent or not, Hanukkah is a wonderful celebration of faith and family that everyone can participate in. 

As we approach the end of the year, there’s never a better time to get your house in order. Whether it’s bugs on your Christmas tree, or just the usual insect invaders we see on the Gulf Coast of Florida, why not take the time today to schedule your first inspection appointment for our Go Green Perimeter Plus. It removes roaches, ants, spiders and more from your house, and keeps them out, all while keeping your family safe. For more details, give us a call today!