The Fusion and Confusion of Chanukkah and Christmas: Oy Vey! Ho Ho Ho!

The coincidental juxtapositioning of dates for Chanukkah, one of the Minor Jewish Festivals, and Christmas, a major seasonal event everywhere except in certain Islamic countries and, of course, Israel, has resulted in the fusion of both festivals into a single mono-cultural occasion, celebrated with varying degrees of enthusiasm by Christian and Jewish communities who respect both traditions.

To Jews with a taste for zealotry, this might feel like the rising tide of apostasy but it is hard to resist the power of multiple Santas invading shopping centres and TV programmes together with forests of twinkling Christmas trees adorning streets and gardens everywhere. Even more difficult to resist is the atmosphere of rejoicing which surrounds Christmas, accompanied by platters of rich food and gifts for all.

By contrast, the festival of Chanukkah is an exclusively Jewish preserve associated with the story of a short-lived victory in the protracted armed struggle against an enemy of the Jewish people. A menorah is lit to commemorate a miracle (see below), songs are sung and ‘dreydels’ are twiddled, the four sides of which are inscribed with letters signifying that miracle.

Jews like me who live in the Diaspora are now being encouraged to take to the warm waters of joint celebration and seasonal good cheer. We are being spoilt with a diet of rich food and our ears are being assailed night and day by choirs consisting of singers with heavenly expressions, hypnotizing us with melodious carols rendered familiar to all English speakers by centuries of repetition.

All of this is somewhat at odds with the grim recall of a satisfying moment in the epic struggle of the Jewish people against their ruthless Assyrian Greek foes. The arrival of a new-born child endowed with the qualities of a savior will always trump the defeat of a hated enemy in the popular mind.

I am not religious, but I respect both festivals for what they mean to their vast constituents. In Western countries with tiny Jewish communities, Christmas always wins hands down in the celebration stakes, which is as it should be in demographic and numerical terms. It is therefore all the more heartening that there should be an exchange of symbols as a shared expression of goodwill.

There is a need to bring joy and comfort into the hearts of many people, regardless of their religious affiliations, especially at a time of seasonal cold and darkness, and what better way of doing this than to conjure up a ruddy-complexioned, jovial old gentleman dressed in a red faux fur-lined tunic, sporting a fluffy white beard, whizzing around the Northern skies on a sledge pulled by reindeers, chuckling heartily and distributing gifts to children the world over?

Aficionados of Christmas can, if they prefer, invoke the religious traditions underlying the festival, encouraging the reenactment of a virgin birth producing the baby destined for greatness. Parents watch entranced as their children solemnly recite the story, draped in flowing Eastern robes, sometimes escorted by a pantomime donkey.

These days we are being introduced to new compound words on greetings cards, wishing the recipient a “Merry Chrismukkah” or similar weird neologisms, the cards possibly being decorated with a picture of Santa Claus wielding a Menorah. And why not? Languages and cultures change over time, even if the customs and traditions underlying them seem immutable. The historical authenticity of the events surrounding both festivities will never be threatened by such innocent charades.

Both festivals revolve around miracles. In one, a lamp of undefiled oil miraculously burns for long enough to enable fresh supplies to be brought into a temple rescued from desecration. In the other, a baby is born by parthenogenesis, reputedly sired by God Himself. It serves no purpose to question, let alone challenge these magical occurrences. They are deeply embedded in their respective traditions. So let us raise our glasses across the interfaith divide and drink a toast to peace and harmony between peoples. Lechaim! Or, if you prefer it, Cheers!