This browser does not support the Video element.
Christmas and start of Hanukkah overlap
For the first time in about two decades, December 25 marked not only Christmas but also the start of Hanukkah.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - For the first time in about two decades, December 25 marked not only Christmas but also the start of Hanukkah.
Dual holidays
The backstory: 2024 was the first time since 2005 that the start of Hanukkah was on Dec. 25.
The Hebrew calendar is a luni-solar calendar, meaning it is based on both moon and sun cycles. That means Hanukkah begins on different dates each year, usually sometime between late November and late December.
What's next?: According to the website Hebcal, it will happen again in 2035 and then 2054. After that, it be another half century until the dates intersect (2111).
Memorah lighting at Minnesota capitol
Local perspective: During the lighting ceremony a few dozen people gathered around, danced, and had some donuts and latkes, marking the first of eight nights of Hanukkah.
"And I think it has the same type of message, a universal message to the world. The message of Hanukkah is light to bring light to light up the world," said Rabbi Mayer Rubinfeld, of Chabad Lubavitch of Minnesota.
"For Christmas, we’re teaching about Jesus. And then for Hanukkah, it's said he's the light of the world, so they actually coincide," said Theresa Romero.
Theresa Romero’s niece Rae typically celebrates Christmas, but this year she’s celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day. She made sure her aunt Theresa made it to the lighting of the menorah at the state capitol.
"There was no hesitation with me, providing a way for her to get here," said Rae Romero.
She’s teaching her son Isaac about Christmas and her aunt is passing down the Hanukkah tradition of lighting the menorah.
"Well, she's been teaching him because he was a little bit afraid of fire at first, so she's been teaching him what to light the candle," said Rae Romero.
"We have the two holidays coming together, interfaith holidays. I think it's a time that to reflect all religions, people celebrating Christmas, people celebrating Hanukkah, that we need to work together," said Rubinfeld.