The “Jewish Christmas” is what many Christians have come to call one of the most highly celebrated Jewish holidays, Hanukkah. Hanukkah is frequently referred to as the Jewish Christmas because of the time the holiday falls and the way it is celebrated. Hanukkah built itself up from hard times and created a major symbol of the holiday leading to celebrations that have been adopted throughout the Jewish population.
Hanukkah started to originate in the year 168 B.C.E, when the Syrian tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes deployed his troops in Jerusalem. He not only had his troops destroy their beloved Temple, but he also outlawed Judaism. He told the Jews they could either convert to worshiping Greek Gods or die (factmonster). Antiochus also took away
Hanukkah is a religious holiday celebrated by the Jewish, it involves the burning of eight candles, one each day. Some people say that Hanukkah is basically a Jewish Christmas, but its not, no holiday is celebrated is the same way as Hanukkah. Also, what holiday has more than three names, Hanukkah does. Its names are Hanukkah, Chanukah, Festival of Lights, the Feast of Dedication, and the Feast of the Maccabees.
Of all the Jewish holidays, the most sanctified is the time of the Jewish New Year. This is a very solemn time and enlightening celebration. The celebration of Rosh Hashanah is a time where an appreciation for the creation of the universe, creatures, and even humanity are reflected upon. The Jewish people personally analyze individual faults and this is when we the positive and negative aspects of the year are thought about. The preparation to better oneself is the main idea of this holiday because Jews want to be forgiven so they can live happy and confidently.
The Christmas holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith has expanded beyond its religious significance and transformed into a cultural phenomenon observed by both believers and non-believers. According to a Pew Research study conducted in 2013, 92 percent of Americans and 96 percent of Christians participate in Christmas festivities. The same study also revealed that 81 percent of non-Christians, including atheists, Buddhists, and Hindus, also observe the holiday.
Christmas was originally supposed to be a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Modern historians suggest that Christ was actually born sometime in April, but that is hardly the point; the point is that a day on which to celebrate his birth and life was needed, and so one was chosen. During the season surrounding this holiday -- especially since it coincided with that of other, similar holidays -- it was thought right to honor Jesus by acting as he did, i.e., in a kind, generous, and forgiving manner. Out of this sprung the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this holiday.
The holiday of Hanukkah can start in November just like thanksgiving or can be pushed into December. This celebration starts on the 25 of either month, although during the time of Hanukkah presents are given at the celebration, which is kind of like Christmas. Nothing like gift giving happens with thanksgiving unless you want to count, the food cooked as a gift. Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday of the one of the last two weeks of November but only last for normally one to two days of celebration. While each holiday has its difference, it is a gathering of families that shows compassion near the end of the year
Pesach begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. It is the
Judaism is rooted in Israel around 1900 BC. The Jewish religion was started by a
Since the beginning of the Judaism, the Jewish people have been subject to hardships and discrimination. They have not been allowed to have a stabile place of worship and have also faced persecution and atrocities that most of us can not even imagine. Three events that have had a big impact on the Jewish faith were the building and destruction of the First Great Temple, the Second Great Temple and the events of the Holocaust. In this paper, I will discuss these three events and also explain and give examples as to why I feel that the Jewish people have always been discriminated against and not allowed the freedom of worship.
In 1933, Adolf Hitler, a leader of the Nazi Party, rose to power in Germany. The Nazi Party abused their power in many different aspects, which creating issues beyond Germany’s borders. This abuse of power lead to the horrific event we know today as the Holocaust. The Holocaust caused over eleven million deaths, with approximately one million of them being children. The Nazis targeted certain groups of individuals including Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, mentally or physically disabled, and anyone who did not agree with Nazi Party. The Nazi Party had excessive power, which was used to undermine the others below them. Out of all of the individuals who were targeted by the Nazis; the Jewish were the most discriminated against. Six million out of the eleven million executed were Jews. The journey of the Jews through a span of only fifteen years showed how one event in history could be so crucial. Jewish individuals’ lives took a toll for the worse as the Nazis rose to power.
The Jewish religious tradition of Rosh Hashanah celebrates the birthday of the world and a time of divine judgment. It is then followed by another holiday, called Yom Kippur ten days later. These two traditions are called the High Holidays. Rosh Hashanah encapsulates four major and interconnected themes, which are: The Jewish New Year, The Day of Shofar Blowing, The Day of Remembrance, and The Day of Judgment (Layton, 2014). This is the most significant time in the Jewish year, as it marks the chance for repentance and forgiveness in the eyes of God. During the High Holidays, Jews cleanse their soul and get the chance to start fresh with an unburdened conscience and the intention of doing better in the coming year (Layton, 2014).
There are approximately 196 countries in the world and almost every single one of them celebrates Christmas differently. Christmas in Mexico (Navidad) is a million times different than the Christmas that we know and celebrate in the U.S. In Mexico there are lots of events that happen before January 6th, which is Epiphany day (The day of the Three Wise Men) also known as “El Dia de los Reyes”. I am will be explaining every all of the events that take place during Christmas (Navidad) all the way up to January 6th.
Many people in American society assume that the main purpose of Christmas is the supposed coming of Santa Claus. Their assumption however is far from the truth. The origins of Christmas, which literally means "Christ mass," actually lie in Christianity-not in the fat man with a stomach that jiggles like a bowl full of jelly. Centuries ago, Christians developed a tradition of celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday. Although Christians were unsure of the exact date of Christ's birth, they officially declared December 25th as the day they would celebrate it. The holiday began simply as a day in which families would spend quality time together, reflecting on Jesus' life, giving thanks to God for sending his "one and only son."
Although it was never celebrated in biblical times, Christmas is celebrated in local churches here in Visalia, California in praise of the fact that God loved us so much; he sent his one and only son to earth. He was wholey god and wholey man. Whereas we have succumbed to the temptations of this earth, Jesus was able to overcome all temptations and live a sinless life. He was then crucified as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. One cannot understand why we celebrate the birth of Christ without seeing the other end of his life. He was crucified for our sins and resurrected.
One of the oldest monotheistic religion is Judaism, which began in 1900 B.C. Judaism originates from Canaan; which is modernly known as Israel. The followers are called Jews, they were formerly called Israelites and Hebrews. Abraham is the founder of Judaism; He became the founder when he traveled to Canaan, sacred land given to the Hebrews by God. Moses is given the Ten Commandments, rules to follow, by God to share with his followers. The Torah, the Jewish Bible, is the holy book of Judaism. Israel and Judah are two kingdoms where Judaism spread rapidly. Nowadays, Judaism is worshipped, taught, and preached in synagogues and temples. One of their most popular holidays is Chanukah or Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday which celebrates the win of light over the darkness or the triumph of good over bad. Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.
Countries all have their own distinct holidays, although some can be seen as equivalents, all are still run by ideology. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all seen as equivalent holidays even though they are celebrated differently, and celebrate different things. The ideology behind Christmas is that it