Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Hanukkah and Christmas Align: A Uniquely Shared Celebration in 2024
This year marks a noteworthy intersection in the calendar as the first night of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas for the first time since 2005. This alignment is significant not only in its historical context but also for the interfaith communities engaging in both traditions.
Both holidays share the date of the 25th, albeit in different months. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in the Gregorian calendar, while Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev according to the Jewish lunar calendar. The variability in Hanukkah’s starting date arises from the Jewish calendar following luni-solar cycles; its months align with lunar phases, resulting in a calendar year that totals approximately 354 days. To realign with the solar calendar’s 365 days, a 13th month is added periodically in a leap year.
A distinct aspect of the Jewish calendar is the observance of holidays beginning at sundown and extending until the next day. Therefore, this year, Hanukkah will commence just hours after Christmas begins, enriching the experience for those who observe both holidays simultaneously.
The “Festival of Lights,” as Hanukkah is also known, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the 2nd century B.C. Following a successful revolt against Greek rule, the Jewish people could only find a small supply of pure oil, expected to last just one day. Miraculously, this oil burned for eight days, sparking celebration and tradition surrounding the menorah, the multibranched candelabrum lit during the holiday.
This year’s festivities continue until January 2, 2025. According to the Jewish Federations of North America, the first day of Hanukkah and Christmas has only aligned a handful of times since 1900, specifically in 1910, 1921, 1959, and 2005. Rabbi Joshua Stanton, who serves as vice president of interfaith initiatives for the Jewish Federations of North America, regards this overlap as an opportunity for learning and collaboration. He emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding rather than proselytizing, saying, “The goal is not proselytizing; it’s learning deeply from each other.”
Rabbi Moshe Hauer of the Orthodox Union sees this convergence as an important occasion to cherish the diverse religious fabric of the United States. He remarks on the necessity of protecting this diversity, particularly amid a rise in antisemitism and other forms of intolerance.
The overlap of the two holidays also presents unique considerations for interfaith families. The term “Chrismukkah,” which originated from the television show “The O.C.,” reflects the blending of Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. Candida Moss, a theology professor at the University of Birmingham, explains that this fusion fosters increased curiosity about the parallels between the two holidays, highlighting themes of light and divine presence during challenging times. She underscores the potential for interfaith families to celebrate both traditions side by side.
While Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, believes it is crucial to honor the distinctiveness of each holiday rather than merging them, he acknowledges that their proximity can inspire greater understanding and appreciation among different faiths. Jacobs notes, “The proximity can actually lead us to understand more, to appreciate more about those who make up different faiths, and for us to create more light in an often very dark time of year.”
Looking ahead, the two holidays are predicted to coincide again in 2035 and 2054. It is also noteworthy that Hanukkah’s start date has landed on Christmas Eve only twice in the past fifty years, specifically in 1978 and 2016.
Source
www.cbsnews.com