I'm doing a report in class at school and I"m trying to figure out why they don't have a Santa which is what the teacher wanted me to do. Well it was actually Christmas aroud the world but 2 people had to do Hanukkah or Kwanza so i chose Hanukkah ok.. thanx and please answer the question!!!
2006-12-15 09:59:22 · 13 answers · asked by Sara R 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
The Hanukkah celebration as they have today is the Jewish alternative to Christmas, which is Christian. They wanted to distract Children with a tradition apart from Christ. Importantly, Father Christmas (Santa) is in effect, carrying on the spirit of generosity from a Bishop from hundreds of years.
You can find a lot of things by researching the Internet. Don't forget to list the sources!
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"
A Wickedly Happy Christmas to all!
2006-12-15 10:09:39 · answer #1 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Santa is short for Saint Nicholas, right? Saints are a Christian term for very holy people, just like Christmas is a Christian holiday. Santa is a part of Christmas.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday. It celebrates the Jewish people's freedom from the oppressive Greek-Syrian rulers. The Jews weren't allowed to worship or anything, until they revolted and became free. The Jews went back to their Temple, and wanted to light a menorah for a long celebration, but only had enough oil for one night... but miraculously the oil lasted for eight days!
This happened a couple hundred years before Christ was born, so you can see how it is an entirely different holiday for an entirely different religion... asking why Hanukkah doesn't have a Santa is like asking why Japan doesn't have an Eiffel Tower.
2006-12-15 10:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by teresathegreat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that is all I have to say. There is no Santa in Hanukkah because Jewish people do not believe in Christmas and Santa is a figure associated with Christmas. Jewish people don't believe in Christmas because they do not believe in Jesus. That is because Judaism is older than Christianity and Jesus, who was a Jewish man who was responsible for the creation of Christianity. Christianity is a culmination of the old and new testament, Jewish people only believe in the old testament. That is as simple as I can make it.
2006-12-15 10:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by CauseISaidSo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Santa is a coca cola creation that other religions don't follow.
Seriously though santa claus is based on St Nicholas but the jolly fat santa in the red suit was created for a coca cola ad campaign.
St Nicholas is a christian saint so is not a part of the jewish faith and so santa hasn't been incorporated into jewish festivals.
2006-12-15 10:15:54 · answer #4 · answered by Gordon B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's because us Jews give presents on all eight days of Hanukkah whereas Santa can only afford enough presents for one day.
2006-12-15 10:26:43 · answer #5 · answered by feeltherisingbuzz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Hanukkah has "Hanukkah Harry"! Don't you watch Saturday Night Live reruns?
2006-12-15 10:14:42 · answer #6 · answered by snide76258 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say you should search Hannukah history or Hanukkah traditions on the internet and do your own homework. Because on this site the answers will just be people being funny, or just plain inaccurate. Good luck though.
2006-12-15 10:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by Cuppycake♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa Claus is from modern Christian folklore and Hanuka is a jewish festival. Although they are at the same time of the year, both religions celebrate their respective holidays in different ways.
2006-12-15 10:21:54 · answer #8 · answered by Quizard 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, the jewish ppl don't believe in the saints and santa is st. nicholas (an actual saint) hence; they don't believe in santa. also christmas is a christian holiday in honor of the birth of jesus-jewish ppl don't believe that jesus is a savior so they don't celebrate christmas.
2006-12-15 10:09:51 · answer #9 · answered by racer 51 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they don't believe in a fat guy who goes in people's houses and actually leaves a gift besides stealing valuables,
I mean, what else do people do when they sneak in people's houses at night, leave a present?
They don't take that kinda crap. I'm not jewish but I'm just sayin'
2006-12-15 10:51:18 · answer #10 · answered by Unknown Artist~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋