Hanukkah 2025 Calendar

While the eighth candle is lit on the 1st, that is when the eighth day starts and it actually ends at sundown of the 2nd. Reply

The custom of many communities (and such is the Chabad-Lubavitch custom) is to light the menorah shortly after sunset. In other communities, the menorah is kindled after nightfall (approximately thirty minutes after sunset). See chabad.org/zemanim Reply

The blessings are (all) recited first, and then the candles are lit. Reply

That is a mistake on their part. In 2023 the last candle was light on Thursday and Friday was the last actual day of Chanukah. As you know the Jewish day begins the evening prior. Reply

In 2021 Tevet started on Sunday December 5, check out our handy calendar at chabad.org/calendar Reply

Hi Jerome, we did write: "after nightfall" and provided a link to where you can find the times, which vary from city to city.
Happy Chanukah! Reply

Check out future dates at chabad.org/holidays Reply

It is not. Have a look at this link for some background to that. Reply

The source for this in the Code of Jewish Law, OC 676:5. The reason is so that the blessings being recited are directly associated with the miracle of the oil lasting another day. Reply

As depicted on the calendar above :) Thursday night you light five candles. Reply

Hey Roberta,

There aren't really any laws of this sort in Jewish law. You can put an unlit menorah out anytime you want. Many synagogues have them as decorative pieces the entire year.

Lighting it seems a little off if it is not the actual holiday, but you can have them out as long as you wish. At some point, though, they will seem a little out of place :) Reply

Sure, try here chabad.org/102815 Reply

The last candle is lit Sunday night this year and the actual eighth day is Monday. Reply

On the day itself the Chanukah additions are added to the prayers as on the previous seven days of the holiday and we eat the traditional foods. Reply

First blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Cha-nu-kah.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light.

Second blessing:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה
Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time.

Third blessing, recited only on the first night (or the first time lighting this Chanukah):

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. Reply