First Night Of Chanukah 2024. Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the temple in jerusalem after a group of jewish warriors defeated the occupying mighty greek armies. On the first night only, we also recite the shehecheyanu, which the blessing we say the first time we do something each jewish calendar year.
The first candle is lit on the chanukiah (menorah) on the first night of hanukkah. The first day is usually a public holiday, so in 2024, december 26 is the public holiday for hanukkah.