Why does Hanukkah begin specifically on the 25th of Kislev?

Question: Is there a connection between the number 25 and the word “light” in the Torah?

Answer:

The Ben Ish Chai reveals an interesting hint:

If you count the words from the beginning of the Torah, starting with the word “Bereshit,” the 25th word is “or” (light), in the verse:

“And God said: Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

According to his teaching, this hints that the miracle of the light of Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev.

In addition, the word “yehi” (let there be) has a gematria of 25:

- Yud = 10

- Heh = 5

- Yud = 10

Total: 25.

In this way the Ben Ish Chai finds another hint to the connection between the creation of light and the miracle of Hanukkah.