Lighting Up Our Souls: Chanukah and Christmas
With so much political divisiveness in our country perhaps the timing of Chanukah and Christmas coinciding this year is a good thing, though substantively the two holidays have nothing in common.
Chanukah is a time when we commemorate our own David and Goliath tale of the Jewish people rising up against the mightier oppressor and miraculously prevailing. Indeed, with so much anti-Semitism throughout the centuries, it may make sense to view all of Jewish existence as a miracle, and this commemorative message of redemption perhaps is one of the reasons why for such an otherwise minor Jewish holiday, we observe Chanukah in such a major, festive way here in America.
And then there is Christmas, also a time when Christians throughout the world celebrate a miracle, the birth of Jesus, who according to Christian theology came as the Messiah to save the world and bring about redemption.
Of course, there are theological differences between Judaism and Christianity; this is beyond dispute. But what is so wonderful about this time of year is that both holidays inspire a sense of warmth, hope and light especially during a time of year when the days have grown shorter and colder and darkness seems to surround us.
The last time both of these holidays coincided was in 1959. The next time will be 2024. This perhaps is a particularly joyous time then for interfaith families, especially for those who choose to combine and celebrate both holidays together as Chrismukkah.
Whatever your beliefs and observances, given all that is going on in our world, it can only be a good thing to observe our respective holidays not only with mutual respect but to appreciate that both convey a message of hope in a world sorely in need of it.
May the warm glow of this holiday season light up our souls and inspire each of us to share this light with others as we enter the New Year.
Chanukah is a time when we commemorate our own David and Goliath tale of the Jewish people rising up against the mightier oppressor and miraculously prevailing. Indeed, with so much anti-Semitism throughout the centuries, it may make sense to view all of Jewish existence as a miracle, and this commemorative message of redemption perhaps is one of the reasons why for such an otherwise minor Jewish holiday, we observe Chanukah in such a major, festive way here in America.
And then there is Christmas, also a time when Christians throughout the world celebrate a miracle, the birth of Jesus, who according to Christian theology came as the Messiah to save the world and bring about redemption.
Of course, there are theological differences between Judaism and Christianity; this is beyond dispute. But what is so wonderful about this time of year is that both holidays inspire a sense of warmth, hope and light especially during a time of year when the days have grown shorter and colder and darkness seems to surround us.
The last time both of these holidays coincided was in 1959. The next time will be 2024. This perhaps is a particularly joyous time then for interfaith families, especially for those who choose to combine and celebrate both holidays together as Chrismukkah.
Whatever your beliefs and observances, given all that is going on in our world, it can only be a good thing to observe our respective holidays not only with mutual respect but to appreciate that both convey a message of hope in a world sorely in need of it.
May the warm glow of this holiday season light up our souls and inspire each of us to share this light with others as we enter the New Year.
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Keyn Yehi Ratzon.
So may this be God’s will. Amen. Warmly, Rabbi Debra Nesselson Chanukah 2016 |
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