To many non-Jews, Hanukkah looks like an eight-day Jewish version of Christmas. Gifts, lights, candles, miracles… It all seems so familiar. It must be the Jewish Christmas, they conclude. But the truth is quite different, and quite fascinating. Trying to explain it can be difficult at times, but here are some tips that will help you.
Steps
Step 1. Explain the big difference - the real one
Although the two festivals take place more or less at the same time, the reasons for the celebrations are by no means the same.
- Hanukkah is the celebration of a different kind of miracle. After Judas Maccabee's defeat of the Syrians, the Second Temple in Judea was rebuilt. During the consecration, a menorah had to be lit, and its candles burned every evening. Although there was enough oil to keep the candles burning one night, they burned for eight nights. Those eight nights are celebrated every year during Hanukkah.
- Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the son of God. For Christians, it is the most important of the holidays after Easter.
Step 2. Compare the candles
This may be the thing that makes the two holidays more similar. Each of the traditions was born out of persecution, although, like the holidays themselves, the differences are profound.
- Although the long persecution by the Greeks and the final defeat of the Syrians lead to the purification of the temple, and the subsequent miracle, the Menorah is the symbol of victory over a cruel but defeated enemy. Like Christmas candles, the Menorah is often displayed prominently in a window as a reminder to the faithful.
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The placement of candles on windows, for Christians, arose as a result of the persecution of Irish Catholics by the Protestant British. Catholicism was forbidden during the Reformation, and the penalties were severe, up to death. At Christmas, Irish Catholic families, wanting a priest to visit their homes and administer their sacraments (in exchange for a warm place to sleep), left their doors open, with candles in the windows as a signal.
Explain That Hanukkah is Not the Jewish Christmas Step 5 Step 3. Reply to the "vacation" discussion
On Christmas day, most businesses are closed. Nobody goes to work, because there is no work to do that day. For Jews, it is a pleasant day off. For Christians, it was originally a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Explain That Hanukkah is Not the Jewish Christmas Step 6 Step 4. Summarizing
Put simply, Hanukkah is a (relatively) minor Jewish holiday, celebrating the Miracle of Lights. Christmas is the main Christian holiday. It combines the birth of the Most Holy Savior with the pagan feast of the Saturnalia. Any similarity between Christmas and Hanukkah is purely coincidental.
Advice
- Take part in the Hanukkah celebrations.
- If your Jewish friends invite you to Hanukkah, go visit them and ask them to explain the party to you.
- Try to understand that there are many cultures and many traditions in this world, and coincidences are not points in common. Virtually every religion has celebrations at key astronomical times, especially the solstices, so just enjoy the period, regardless of what it's called.
- Explain to your children the differences between Christmas and Hanukkah.
