Many people think of Hanukkah as the “Jewish Christmas." I was reminded of this fact when a friend posted a picture on Facebook this week of an item for sale at Bed, Bath and Beyond—a blue and white stocking to hang by the fireplace, emblazoned with Stars of David and the words “Happy Hanukkah.”
The reality is that Hanukkah has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, other than the fact that Hanukkah is typically celebrated in December. There are vague similarities in the modern celebration of the two holidays, namely the giving and receiving of presents, the use of candles, and the commemoration of a past miracle.
Christmas, of course, is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, perhaps the most profound miracle recognized by Christians. As such, Christmas is a major holiday. Hanukkah is a more minor holiday, though it recognizes a miracle of a different sort. When Judah Maccabee defeated the Syrian-Greeks, the Second Temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed and the menorah was lit in dedication. Though there was only oil enough to keep the candles lit for a single night, they burned for eight. It was a miracle!
On a less serious note, the differences between Christmas and Hanukkah are abundant.
Much to the dismay of many Christians, but to the delight of store owners, Christmas has turned into a commercialized, gift-giving mania. Although some who celebrate Hanukkah have been driven into this vortex of over-consumerism, the pressure is less intense. Gifts on Christmas are often costly and extravagant, such as jewelry, computers, and clothing. Hanukkah tends to be a holiday on which gift-giving is reserved for children or presents are practical, like socks or pajamas. In fact, the celebration of Hanukkah in terms of major gift-giving was an American response in the 20th century to the popularity of Christmas. Prior to then, parents gave gelt (the Yiddish term for money) to their children, a practice that remains in the exchange of chocolate coins.
Christmas means beautiful carols such as "Silent Night" or "Come All Ye Faithful," while Hanukkah seems to have one lone song about making a clay dreidel, or top, and the Adam Sandler tune!
Food also separates the two December holidays. Christmas tends to be a feast reminiscent of Thanksgiving. The smells that emanate from a home where Christmas dinner is cooking are the sweet smells of cookies and lovely aroma of roast turkey. Hanukkah, on the other hand, is celebrated with foods that are symbolic reminders of the miracle that occurred, in particular latkes (potato pancakes), and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), which are fried in oil, an odor that lingers for the entire eight days.
So celebrate your respective holidays, but please don’t try to convince Hanukkah observers to decorate a “Hanukkah bush” or buy a “Mensch on a Bench.”
