Show of Hands

I think it's a big deal, Alice. It's not biblical, and it's not one of the 3 travelling holidays- but it's still hugely significant

Ive never done the math, but 12 sounds about right. However, hannukah is a major religious holiday. There are special prayers, certain laws regarding the days of hannukah, laws about lighting, and other customs. There is a prohibition on work within 1/2 hour after lighting the menorah. I wouldn't use the term "minor" to describe it. It just has fewer prohibitions than other holidays.

Bradxyz and Nkarta, I see your point. Perhaps, "minor" was a poor choice of words.

However, my point is this. It has always annoyed me, when people treat Chanukah as sort of a "Jewish Christmas."

It's a big peeve of mine. Chanukah, of course, is our holiday and has absolute no connection to Christmas, except for the calendar proximity. But there's this cultural thing lately about comparing the two holidays. Would you agree with that?


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About the number of days ... I added wrong. It's 13 days. Here's my math.

Rosh Hashanah (2 days), Yom Kippur (1 day), Sukkot (4 days of "no work" restrictions), Pesach (4 days of "no work" restrictions) and Shavuot (2 days). The total is 13.


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Sure. The problem is that hannukah is being secularized and commercialized because it is seen as "the Jewish Christmas"

Makes sense. The thing is that on sukkot and pesach, there are 2 days of no work as defined by jewish law, then 4 days of no work as in a job, but driving and using electricity etc., which is work acc to jewish law, are permitted. Then another 2 days of no work as defined by jewish law. Thats 8 more days of no work/ school that may or may not be counted in your tally.

Now, that is a fact! 😊

I read your comment carelessly. Christmas is the day when we go out for Chinese food. Not on Chanukah.

This year they fall on the same day though.

For you grandma 😀
m.youtube.com/watch?v=BGzO1ghRKp4

Cute!

They play that every year on SNL. Might be on tonight.

That's interesting! Why do you think that is?

The things I have seen in stores the few times I have been out. Regular stores. Wrapping paper, party decorations, menorahs, gift bags, recipe cards etc. The synagogue is having a big party.
In Russia my school had a play we put on and cookies were brought in but that was about it. Each family lit a Menorah at home. As my father became more successful, the presents became better each night but even so, they saved things to give at Purim. It seemed less commercial there than here and I think it had to do with the season. Xmas in Russia is the first part of January. In the US, the two holidays often overlap.

Thanks! I can see why the fact that Christmas is later in Russia would make a difference.

How are you feeling?

They also have Mensch on a Bench. He came out about two years ago.

www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mensch+on+a+bench&tag=hydusmmsn-20&index=aps&hvadid=78408926843109&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_40hqyo2gpu_p

That's awesome. I love that.

All of that is true. Please see my comment above, for more info.

See above. But not so big in Idaho and Vermont.

I disagree. There is written record of the holiday being celebrated during the first century CE and the 4 books of Maccabees from before that describing the events leading to the holiday.

That doesn't mean it was a big holiday, just that it was celebrated. I'm saying it became a big deal for Jews because of Christmas.

Fiat, you are right. I'm just pointing out that Chanukah is not the "Jewish Christmas," as many seem to think (not you, but many others). It's a lot less important than many other holidays.

I posted a comment above, with more details.


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