The Lights of Chanukah
December 20, 2011 
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by Rabbi Zachary Shapiro
Christmas or Chanukah? The answer is really pretty easy. Christmas wins. Hands down. The music is prettier. The decorations are extraordinary. And the presents under the tree are tempting. For the religious, Christmas is about the Birth of the savior. Chanukah can’t even come close to that. Chanukah, when it comes down to it, is about what most other Jewish holidays are about:
We were almost annihilated.
But we survived.
So now, let’s eat!
Nevertheless, December decisions are increasingly a focus here at Temple Akiba. But there is an interesting twist that I am just now noticing. It used to be that we focused on families with different religious backgrounds who struggled with whether or not to put up a Christmas Tree. But it turns it that many families whose only cultural background is Judaism are putting up trees and celebrating Christmas (in a non-religious way). Why? Because, as I wrote above, Christmas wins over Chanukah.
So how do we instruct interfaith families about making decisions when “traditional” Jewish families are celebrating on December 25? Should we guide Jews by Choice to forgo the treasures of Christmas when many Jews by birth embrace those treasures? It certainly is not easy.
I like to share an anecdote each year with our community that helps to illuminate why individuals and families should experiment with their observance. Years ago, my husband, Ron, and I ate dinner at “Dining in the Dark” concept restaurant. At first I thought this would be a romantic candle-light dinner. But I was wrong! This was the kind of darkness in which your eyes don’t adjust. You cannot see your hand in front of your face. All the waiters in this restaurant are blind. Ironically, they can navigate the darkness. But the patrons can’t.
At one point during dinner (which was a frustrating endeavor), my cell phone went off. Usually it is the sound of the phone that disturbs a mood. But in this case, it was the tiny bit of light from my phone that pierced the room. That light. That NOTHING bit of light, for a brief moment, lit up the entire restaurant.
I think of that when I think of Chanukah. It’s not about how big lights and massive decorations make our lives beautiful. It’s about how the smallest light can make a difference. Each of us is a light. Each of us has a breathing, incredible spirit. Our story as Jews is about nurturing that light in the face of everything else.
That’s why I love the glow of the flames of the Chanukah menorah. Those small lights mean much more than anything else. And so, while Christmas wins in terms of aesthetic, Chanukah focuses in terms of religious and cultural significance. It is with this understanding that I ask all our families to experiment with the humble lights of Chanukah.
Rabbi Zachary Shapiro serves as rabbi for Temple Akiba in Culver City, CA
Spotlight on Welcoming Interfaith: This month the URJ is highlighting resources to aid your congregation in actively welcoming interfaith families into your community and encouraging their participation in your congregation. Also see resources for individuals in interfaith families.
Of course there is incredible wisdom (and Torah!) in the message that a tiny light can make a difference. That truly is part of the meaning of Hanukkah. Nevertheless, I cannot leave unchallenged the notion that Christmas wins over Hanukkah because of decorations and music. There are tasteful, attractive Hanukkah decorations that are pleasing and minimalistic without appearing to imitate Christmas. There is beautiful classical music for Hanukkah that is often ignored today, and some of it rivals the best Christmas classics!
I cannot stand when Jews minimize or trivialize the meaningfulness of Jewish holidays and practices, or complain that they are jealous of Church music, when they are part of a contemporary Jewish community which has repudiated these things for itself. There was a century-and-a-half long tradition of beautiful choir and organ music in synagogues, including for Hanukkah. Yet, one Rabbi recently wrote that he was “envious of Churches” because they have better music and beautiful pipe organs”. If you like inspiring classical music and organ or piano, resurrect the classical Jewish music tradition!!!