Hanukkah 2024: When does it start? How and why it’s celebrated [Video]

When does Hanukkah start this year? And what’s the correct way to light a menorah? Here are answers to some of the key questions people usually ask about Hanukkah.

WASHINGTON — The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” begins this week.

Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a small group called the Maccabees defeated the Greek Syrian army. During the battle, the Jews had only enough oil to light the Temple’s menorah for one night, but the oil lasted for eight.

Here are some of the top Hanukkah questions people traditionally ask about the holiday, according to Google Trends data.