As Christians, should we be celebrating major Jewish holidays as part of our religious heritage?
2006-11-19 09:22:16 · 22 answers · asked by Mav here! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have a tree for Christmas ...... and i'm not a Christian, so u figure it out
2006-11-19 09:25:04 · answer #1 · answered by Regina 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Celebrating Jewish holidays or feasts would be a matter of preference, rather than an obligation. It is good to know what they why they are celebrated.
Hanukkah is a minor Jewish Holiday. But it is a really fascinating and miraculous story. The only reference to it in the bible is in John 10:22 "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon." So Jesus was there to celebrate it.
In studying the major Jewish Feasts, we see Jesus represented in them.
Jews for Jesus has information on how Jesus is represented in the major Jewish feasts.
Their web site is JewsforJesus.org
2006-11-19 15:25:38 · answer #2 · answered by redeemed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Jews operate the Old Testament or the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant was to make it possible for Jesus Christ to come according to the promise of the LORD GOD to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. However, there is no promise of eternal life in the Old Covenant or OLD Testament.
Jesus Christ came through the Jews. He brought salvation to the whole world. During His Last Supper here on earth, Jesus Christ established the New Covenant. Matthew 26:26-28. It is unfortunate that Christians have ignored this Covenant. By so doing, they have, by default, ignored salvation. The Bible says: "By calling this covenant "new", he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and ageing will soon disappear." Hebrews 8:13.
2006-11-19 12:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by Cab302 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At some point (the writings of John about The Law?; the blaming, in the gospels, of Jews for the death of Christ?; the Congress of Nicaea? I don't know), Christianity made a point of turning its back on its Jewish heritage. Observance of Hanukah is thus rejected by Christianity as well.
2006-11-19 09:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by engineer01 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those Holy days have been transcended with the holy days that celebrate life with Jesus. Just like the old Sabbath was Saturday now with Jesus rising into Eternal rest on Sunday we now call this the Lord's Day. (the 7day he rested but he still worked -- but, the 8th day, AHHHHHH) Hannakah is the celebration of lights. it is from when the Jews celebrated the miracle of the oil in the Temple that lasted much longer than it should have. We have no need to celebrate this miracle of light because the light that was celebrated there from the oil still went out when the oil eventually did but, with Jesus his light never runs out.
2006-11-19 09:31:41 · answer #5 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since the major Christians holidays came from religions that did not accept the Messiah, There's no real reason why not. Just find something to match it up with and make it Christian.
2006-11-19 09:47:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The spirit and purpose of Hanukah are summed up in its name. Hanukah is Hebrew for dedication, and the festival commemorates the dedication of the temple, or rather, the re dedication of the Temple after it had been desecrated by opponents of the Jewish faith in the second century BCE. Though a minor festival Hanukah has considerable importance for what they commemorate historically and for the attitudes they celebrate. It highlight-es loyalty and courage in the face of persecution, the importance of religious freedom and survival, it expresses a fight for Jewish identity and Independence.
2006-11-19 10:16:51 · answer #7 · answered by Roberto 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's quite alright to, of you want to. Personally the religious holidays don't mean all that much to me, except as times to see the family. (I believe strongly in what they represent, it's just that a holiday doesn't "do" it for me). But for many people it is a time to get in contact with their faith in a special way. To add on some of the Jewish holidays, understanding in depth what they mean, can actually be a plus in that case.
2006-11-19 09:26:48 · answer #8 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Christian could do that, but it would have no spiritual benefits, and if done because of a lack of true faith in God's new covenant church, it might even be a sin.
All the old passed away when Jesus unstituted the new covenant in his blood.
The Church is the only faith authority today, and only the holy days designated by the Church have any real significance.
2006-11-19 11:01:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they could... Jesus was probably at a Hanakah celebration when he said "I am the light of the world" in John
it would be more a case, if you found celebtrating that festival to be meanignful...
Jesus only gave two definite memorials COmmunion and Baptism and Chrstians must give these high priority.. other practices like palm branches.. and holidays.. are more to do with what is helpful and meaningful to an individual or group
2006-11-19 09:37:42 · answer #10 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Should we? No, Mav. All of the Jewish Holy Days were fulfilled in Christ Jesus.
They were merely "types and shadows" that have had their ending, for the newer Rite is here (St. Thomas Aquinas said that - not me).
But Father will still buy Mav eight presents.
And light pretty candles. That is fun, too
2006-11-19 09:28:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋