Which date in the Jewish calendar can be either a festival or an ordinary day? The answer is the third day of the Hebrew month of Tevet, which sometimes marks the grand finale of Hanukkah and is sometimes just a regular winter day.
This calendar curiosity occurs due to the varying length of the month of Kislev, which determines when Chanukah ends. When the third of Tevet does fall on the eighth day of Chanukah, it carries special significance as “Zot Chanukah” (This is Chanukah), named after a verse in the Torah reading read on this day which describes the dedication of the altar: “Zot Chanukat HaMizbe’ach” – “This is the dedication of the altar.”
The eighth day of Hanukkah embodies a fundamental principle established by the school of Hillel, who taught that we should increase in holiness rather than decrease. This is why we add one candle each night of Chanukah, building to a full display of eight lights, rather than starting with eight and decreasing to one, as the school of Shammai suggested.
Rabbi Efraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, offers an illuminating perspective on the third of Tevet. Rather than viewing it as either special when it is a festival, or just ordinary when it isn’t, he suggests that the third of Tevet is perhaps even more significant when it does not fall out on Hanukkah but rather the day after. Though the Hanukkah days are special, in a certain sense it is the day after that is most important since the true significance of the holiday lies in what follows the celebration. The real measure of Hanukkah’s impact isn’t found in the eight days of candlelight, but in how its glow continues to inspire us throughout the year.
In this light, the third of Tevet serves as a bridge between the festival and daily life. Whether it falls on Hanukkah’s final day or immediately after, its message remains constant: our spiritual growth shouldn’t end with the festival. Instead, this date challenges us to carry forward the festival’s momentum and continue raising our aspirations.
The lesson resonates beyond the calendar: there are no truly ordinary days in our journey of personal growth. Every day offers an opportunity to build upon our achievements and reach new heights. The third of Tevet, whether officially part of Hanukkah or not, reminds us that true celebration lies not just in the festival itself, but in how we allow its light to illuminate our path forward.
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