23 December 2005
Question
Someone told my son that Chanukah is just the Jewish Xmas, that was invented to make Jewish kids feel like they aren't missing out. Now he feels he really is missing out and wants a Xmas tree. Can you shed some light on this for me?
Answer
Chanukah predates Christianity by 200 years. Far from being an imitation of a non-Jewish festival, Chanukah celebrates the power of being different. Chanukah expresses one of the tenets of Jewish belief: Truth is not democratic. In matters of spirituality, a minority need not bow to majority opinion.
Chanukah celebrates the Jewish victory over the Hellenists, who were attempting to enforce Greek culture on the people of Israel. A small band of Jews, the Hasmoneans, stubbornly fought to retain their distinct identity and beliefs, and in spite of being vastly outnumbered, they won.
Your son is facing a similar battle. Today Jews are a welcome minority in a multi-ethnic country. The only force still trying to Hellenise Jews is from within. Our neighbours are for the most part indifferent to our Jewishness - it is we Jews who most fear being different. But we have an inner Hasmonean as well - a Jewish soul with the resilience to maintain its identity and resist our Hellenistic urge to dissolve into the surrounding culture.
Chanukah is an opportunity to teach your son that being different is a blessing. He shouldn't feel he is missing out on anything. We also have a tree in our homes: the Torah, the Tree of Life. And the gift we receive is the gift of being Jewish.
