What happened to hanukkah?

• all i see is Chistmas, it makes me sad. what really happened to hanukkah, everyone is all ways wishing me a Merry Chistmas and i say you too to be nice. What i really want to say is I ...show more

• Answer:

  Chanukah is about the miracle of the weak against the strong, the miracle of the oil, the prevailing of spiritual values against the physical values that Greece epitomized. It is a celebration of being able to relate to Gd in our way, and not nkeel down to rulers who want to strip every vestige of Gd from daily life. Chanukah is not about public celebration. In fact, we commemorate the holiday with one "decoration": a menorah in the window to publicize the miracle. That's it. In the family we play games with the dreidle, a small 4-sided top, which is more than just a children's game. Traditional gifts consisted of "gelt" (money in Yiddish), some coins. We eat foods that are fried in oil, latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts (sufganiot in Hebrew). We add special prayers to the daily service and the after-meal blessings. That's all. It is small, personal, in the family, not public. Chanukah just happens to come out at the same time of year as Xmas. Period, end. What has happened to Chanukah is the commercialization of Xmas. The decorations are not us. Chanukah cards are not traditional. The glitz and glamor of Xmas is not Jewish. I don't need Chanukah decorations at the mall to remind me of "the season." It is no season. It is 8 days that I remember the miracle, and try to add a little light to the world. So I don't lament the lack of public decor. I don't send cards. Yes, I call friends and family. But mostly, I get home from work in time to light the candles, say the blessings, sing a few Chanukah songs, and watch my candles glow. While I feel sad that most Jews don't know the meaning of Chanukah, I feel happy you asked such a good question. Happy Chanukah! Good websites are cited below: