i am christian, so i may be way off. i've heard that the holiday of hannukah is more of a "minor holiday" to jewish people in comparison to rosh hashanah (sp) and yom kippur, but it gets more attention because of its proximity to christmas. is this true?
2006-12-23 04:57:34 · 8 answers · asked by bookgrl 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a minor Holiday as it is a celebration of the preservation of our culture much like Purim where Passover and Roshashanna have a more spiritual significance but any observant Jew will tell you Yom Kippor is far more important for the spirituality of it.
Where as, it is my understanding, that Christmas is a cornerstone celebration for the Christians as the origin of their beliefs. It has become widely commercialized as has Hanukkah but that is more a sign of the times than a reflection of faith.
2006-12-24 06:54:04 · answer #1 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Chanukah is not one of the "high holy days." it is a celebration of an event that occurred and happens to be more popular because of its proximity to Christmas and also because it is commercialised much in the way of Christmas when it comes to gift giving and such.
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year. it is one of the high holy days and much more important than Chanukah. Yom Kippur is the day of atonement. it occurs very shortly after rosh hashanah so that the Jewish people may atone for the sins of the previous year and start the new year off with a clean slate. there are actually very strict guidelines that are followed on both of these high holy days as well as celebration at the end.
2006-12-25 00:29:28 · answer #2 · answered by pagancowgirl 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hanukkah is definitely not a major holiday, but because of the
children who are sometimes wondering why they don't get
present like the Christian children do, we have tried to make
Hanukkah a memorable holiday for their sake. gift giving, large
family gatherings, Some Temple, such as mine, have parties
for the children, but most importantly on this holiday we teach
our young to share and give to others more in need then us.
Our HIGH HOLY DAYS, which are our most important Holy days
begin with Rosh Shashana and end with Yom Kippur.
The first two days are our New Year and as you would say
Holy days of obligation and Yom Kipper is our Day of Atonement
where we ask forgiveness for our sins..This is a fasting Holy day.
and after services we break the fast with friends and family...
I hope I've simplified the explanation and "yes" your understanding if true.
2006-12-25 02:09:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hannukah is more minor because, it is not biblically mandated. Where as Rosh hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and holidays like that are.
2006-12-25 05:11:57 · answer #4 · answered by his angel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I am not Jewish, my husband is and I celebrate all the Jewish holidays with him and his family. I would say the biggest Jewish celebrations would be Passover and Rosh Hashana. In comparison to the "specialness" between Christmas and Chanukah, I would say that Christmas is the bigger celebration. Although Chanukah lasts 8 days, it seems that Christmas extends from the end of October until the beginning of the New Year. I love them both!
2006-12-23 14:38:44 · answer #5 · answered by Ann 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, but it's not as major a holiday in the sense that it's a celebration rather than judgement, but it's a major thing that we're celebrating.
And i think it's just made bigger by other people and gets more attention, and I know that the whole thing of giving presents on Hanukah was started cuz it fit in with christmas- it really has n/t to do with the holiday.
2006-12-24 16:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by way2kewl4u1224 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
2006-12-23 20:43:48 · answer #7 · answered by ysk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
chanukkah is minor
it just gets hype because it is around x mas time
that is why we get presents too
it isnt actually part of chanukkah
ps we dont get 8 presents( only stupid people do that)
2006-12-25 08:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by pixiepunk 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋