Chanukah: Celebrating in the Hard Times
I’m having a hard time feeling joyous and to celebrate Chanukah with so many fellow Jews being murdered and maimed and living with fear in Israel. Should we perhaps not celebrate Chanukah this year, or at least consider it a solemn day instead of a joyous one under the circumstances?
Chanukah and Christmas
As a mother, every year I am challenged by the proximity of Chanukah to Christmas. How can we possible compete, lighting our candles, with their stunning display of colorful lights filling the malls, decorating their houses and their trees? What do I say when the kids ask me if Chanukah is the Jewish Christmas?
Chanukah: Lighting Outside or Inside the House
I spent Chanukah in Jerusalem this year and noticed that most people lit their menorahs in glass boxes outside their doorways or at the entrance to their courtyards. I’ve never seen that done back home, we have always lit inside in the window or just on the dining room table. Why the discrepancy between Israel and the Diaspora?
Nissan and Rosh Hashanah
Growing up, we learned that the first month of the Jewish calendar was Nissan. If this is so, and Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the New Year, why does Rosh Hashanah start on the first of Tishrei?
A “Jewish Christmas” Deep Dive
I get really disturbed to hear from some friends at school that they keep Chanukah as a way to have a Jewish Christmas. Some of them think that’s the only reason there is a Chanukah, that the Jews wanted to have a holiday that coincides with Christmas. Could you please help me explain to them why they’re wrong?