Hanuka Begins December 2, 2018
Why is Hanuka so early? Actually it is the same every year, the 25th
of Kislev.
The Hebrew lunar year is about eleven days shorter than the
solar year and uses the 19-year Metonic cycle, adduced
by Greek astronomer Meton of
Athens (fifth century BCE) (Metonic cycle is a period of very close to 19 years that is nearly a common
multiple of the solar year and the lunar month to
bring it into line with the solar year, with
the addition of an intercalary month
every two or three years, for a total of seven times per 19 years.
