By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. Re-post Dec. 2022. from 2011. Ocean Grove, NJ
Hanukkah begins on December 25. Some people say that it is a minor holiday which has been blown up to be more important than it really is. The idea is that Jewish people make a fuss about Hanukkah so that they can share the excitement and joys of the Christmas season.
According to Scott-Martin Kosofsky, author of the “Book of Customs,” Hanukkah is an important celebration of a significant event in Jewish history, and that story can be found in written accounts going all the way back to the 14th century. Mr. Kosofsky calls the story “semi-biblical” and refers to the holiday as “minor, bordering on major.”
Jewish history is so full of sad events that this holiday is a source of pride because it shines a light onto a brief period when the Jews won a great victory and preserved their survival as a monotheistic religion. In 165 BC, a Jewish rebel army (the Maccabees) revolted against the harsh rule of the Greek government. They won that war and kept control of the region and their freedom until 63 BC when the Romans took over.
In America, as Christmas rose in popularity around 1860 with the development of Christmas cards, so also American Jews tried to elevate the profile of Hanukkah. Here is a newspaper announcement that says that the YMHA in New York was going to have a major Hanukkah event. Clearly it was becoming a big deal on its own, not as the Jewish Christmas.
Maoz Tsur. Rock of Ages. Hanukkah music from Moscow Boys Choir.