Hanukkah or christmas which came first

While in reality, they were actually studying Jewish texts. In general, Jewish families convene for dinners during the Chanukkah nights, and on each successful night, small gifts are traditionally exchanged on each night. Christmas, however, is related to a more spiritual event, and the religious connotations of Jesus Christ.

However, mainstream ideas, of course, exist as well. Such as the idea that Hanukkah and Christmas, in the end, especially to the children , are all about the presents. Skip to content. Christmas Origins: According to Elizabeth A. Menorah In addition to the martyrdom appraisal in Christian faith, Hanukkah and Jews have similar figures.

Customs and Notes First, I thought it would be interesting to note how Hanukkah begins its 8 nights on the 25 th of the Hebrew month, Kislev. This entry was posted in Uncategorized.

Bookmark the permalink. Proudly powered by WordPress. Digging even deeper many things set these holidays apart. First, we should acknowledge that Christmas is a Christian holiday, and Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday. Hanukkah although widely celebrated among the Jewish community is not the biggest holiday for the Jewish people. It is a relatively small holiday with no requirements to go to the synagogue or avoid work. Christmas on the other hand is a much bigger deal, and even a federal holiday in the United States.

This is because it is a much more historically noted and important holiday to the Christian faith and imperative to the gospel message. The length of both holidays is also very different. While Christmas only lasts for one day and occasionally is celebrated over a day length of time, Hanukkah is eight days long.

As mentioned before their history and reason for celebrating are very different. While Christmas emphasizes the birth of the savior, Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the menorah and the rededication of the temple.

The overall celebration of the two holidays is very different. Looking at them side to side and the way they are celebrated greatly distinguish them from each other. When celebrating Christmas there is usually a time to attend church, either on Christmas eve, or Christmas day. Since Christmas is only a day long all festivities are packed mainly in one day. Hanukkah has its many traditions spread out over a time of eight days, and they do not need to go to the synagogue as part of the celebration of Hanukkah, but prioritize the lighting of a new candle after sunrise each day.

Explore the weekly Torah portions, commentaries, and listen to Scripture readings, and get the free Torah reading schedule. A community of Messianic youth strengthening the bonds of faith through events and learning opportunities. First Fruits of Zion. Did Christmas Originate with Hanukkah? Did Christmas arise from the ashes of paganism, or did it stem from another Jewish holiday? An Interesting Theory I sum this up as an interesting theory. Join the Conversation:. HaYesod Discipleship courses that respectfully explore the Jewish foundation of Christianity, and your Israel connection.

Torah Portions Explore the weekly Torah portions, commentaries, and listen to Scripture readings, and get the free Torah reading schedule. Learn more and join with us today. Basically, it's a really good way to sell more stuff to consumers. Ashton's Hanukkah in America: A History explains that by the 19th century "the rising consumer economy and expansion of department stores embraced and promoted the new Christmas customs.

As the way we celebrate Christmas shifted over time, so too did our celebrations of Hanukkah. In short, they both became more commercial. A lot more commercial. Ashton writes that:.

Further blurring the holiday boundaries, Jewish merchants—from the wealthy Strauss family that owned R. Lederer, who owned a modest dry-goods store—used Santa Claus images in their advertising each December. Louis, Missouri, agreed. He suggested that Christmas was only an adaption of Hanukkah, because both are joyous, light-filled, winter rededication to religion; his own children enjoyed Christmas.

It seems, Ashton explains, that many Jews started to adopt the elements of Christmas—trees, shopping, Santa—that surrounded them, even when they were celebrating Hanukkah. America itself was associated with prosperity and conspicuous consumption.