8 Ideas for Connecting With the Spiritual Side of Hanukkah

Hanukkah’s almost here! You’ve got your menorah set up, a Hanukkah playlist on repeat, and latke ingredients in your grocery basket. But are you prepared for the spiritual side of Hanukkah? 

There’s no denying Hanukkah is one of the most fun of the Jewish holidays, but with a little thought and preparation it can also be one of the most meaningful. The Festival of Lights is jam packed with the most beautiful symbolism, and it also holds some powerful lessons about standing proud as Jews in the face of whatever the world is currently throwing at us – something that feels especially relevant in 2025. Read on for eight ways to connect with Hanukkah spiritually – one for each night. 

1. Light Your Menorah With Intention

Instead of rushing through the blessings, treat candle-lighting as a nightly moment for prayer or meditation. Pause before striking the match. Breathe. Set a personal intention each night. Ponder the miraculous continuity of our people against all odds. Think of the generations of Jews who’ve done these exact actions, said these exact words, every year for the past two millennia. 

2. Watch the Flames

It’s customary to refrain from work while the Hanukkah candles burn. While the practical reason for this is that the light of the menorah is not for practical use, the chance to pause from our daily tasks is a perfect opportunity to stop, rest, and reflect. Spend a few minutes gazing at the candles and allow insights, emotions, or prayers to surface naturally. This simple act is a doorway into spiritual presence.

3. Spread Your Light

Hanukkah’s core mitzvah is pirsumei nisa – publicizing the miracle – and that’s why it’s traditional to place the menorah where the light can be seen from outside (usually in a window, or, in Israel, even outside the home). Take this concept to the next level and think about how you can spread your inner light this Hanukkah. Maybe you could invite friends for candle-lighting one night, deliver some sufganiyot or latkes to a neighbor, donate a gift to a holiday toy drive, or call someone who could use the connection. 

4. Create Your Own Rededication Ritual

Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Temple after a period of darkness and defilement. Honor that theme by rededicating something in your own life. This could be your home, your Jewish identity, your energy and time, your connection to Jewish community, a relationship with a loved one – anything that feels in need of some extra attention right now. Set an intention for how you’d like to transform this particular area of your life, and commit to at least one concrete action that will help make it a reality. 

5. Practice Gratitude for the Miracles in Your Life

Hanukkah isn’t just about celebrating the miracles that occurred – it’s also about giving thanks. Each night of Hanukkah, think of one miracle – large or small – from your own life, and as you gaze at the candles, spend a few moments savoring this blessing in your life.

6. Give Tzedakah 

One especially meaningful way to share your light during Hanukkah is giving tzedakah. Just like the shamash spreads its light to the other candles without diminishing itself, giving helps us glow brighter. Choose a cause that’s close to your heart to support this Hanukkah – or you could even make a small donation to a different cause each of the eight nights. 

7. Let Hanukkah Inspire Your Jewish Pride 

In addition to miracles, Hanukkah is a celebration of the Jewish people’s survival – and it’s also the most Zionist of all the Jewish holidays. It’s about having the courage to be who we are, loud and proud, the courage not to assimilate, the courage to connect with Israel as our spiritual home. Use this moment to take stock of your Jewish identity – is it where you’d like it to be? If not, what’s an obtainable goal you could focus on for the coming year?

8. Embrace the Symbolism of Eight

The eighth and final night of Hanukkah is considered an auspicious time to connect with the miraculous and the divine. In Jewish tradition, the number seven – in a nod to Bereshit’s creation story – represents the completeness of the natural world. The number eight, then – one above it – symbolizes a transcendence of that natural order. As such, the eighth night of Hanukkah is a chance to hope and dream beyond the everyday. It’s considered an especially powerful time for prayer, when even the miraculous is not too much to ask. 

What are your favorite ways to connect with the spirituality of Hanukkah? Let us know in the comments!