Is Chanukah a Minor Holiday?

Question:

My friend told me that Chanukah is a minor holiday, unlike Rosh Hashanah and Passover, and so we shouldn't make such a big deal out of it. He said that the only reason it became so big was because of the season.

Answer:

Unlike Rosh Hashanah, Passover and other "major" holidays, which are biblically prescribed days of rest, we go to work on Chanukah. Even on Purim, going to work is not recommended. Also, on Jewish holidays we wear special clothes. But the days of Chanukah are regular workdays in regular clothes.

Yet Chanukah is a hardly a "minor" holiday. Read what Maimonides writes in his Laws of Chanukah:

The mitzvah of kindling Chanukah lamps is a very precious mitzvah. A person should be very careful in its observance to publicize the miracle and thus increase our praise of G‑d and our expression of thanks for the miracles which He wrought on our behalf. Even if a person has no resources for food except what he receives from charity, he should pawn or sell his garments and purchase oil and lamps to kindle them.

Maimonides continues by instructing that if one has only enough money to afford either a cup of wine for Shabbat kiddush or oil for his Chanukah lamp, the mitzvah of Chanukah takes precedence. Doesn't sound too minor to me.

Especially when you take into account that this is what Chanukah is all about: to "light up the darkness" (which is why we light it at night, at the door or window). So even though its a regular workday, well, that's really the whole idea: To light up the regular workday. And that takes a very special light.

At any rate, since when do we look for excuses not to celebrate? On the contrary, in the words of wise King Solomon, "A good heart always celebrates."

By Tzvi Freeman

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman, a senior editor at Chabad.org, also heads our Ask The Rabbi team. He is the author of Bringing Heaven Down to Earth. To subscribe to regular updates of Rabbi Freeman's writing, visit Freeman Files subscription.

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June 29, 2010

What they take for granted

Have we forgotton that evry Jewish holiday was a struggle for being alive? Every holiday, starting with any holiday brings back the thought that we always fought to stay alive! Starting with the exodus from Egypt to the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses we Jews have always fought our ememies. I never take for granted my Jewish trdation and the ability to support my people during any type of crises.
Moses was one of the greatrest leaders in history. Who else does one know that had a one to one conversation with THE ALMIGHTY? We as a people should always remember, on any Jewish holiday or occassion, that liberty does not come easy, so keep those light bnurning bright on Channaka and never never take it for granted! A M E N !

Ed.
Coconut Creek, Florida

June 29, 2010

What they take for granted

Ed.
Coconut Creek, Florida

December 24, 2009

Inportance of Chanukah

The great importance of Chanukah is one of remembering the importance of guardianship. A major holiday if yo ask me. To guard over, keep watch of that which we hold most dear. A national, spiritual and personal identity; the land and Jerusalem.

The influence of Hellenism - started not on one day or in one place; it creapt slowly toward and then into the borders of Israel; had it been stopped at the borders; maybe there had been no need to fight and defend.

Without the watchmen, without vigalence; the light goes out.

Janice
Denver, CO USA

December 20, 2009

It makes me sad to here my friends tell me they didn't celebrate chanukkah. it may be not the biggest holiday of the year, but why should we forget to celebrate it, or even say it's no big deal. Chanukkah was celebrated at Bergen Belsen concentration camp. People needed the light of Chanukkah to lift their spirits, to remember who they were.
A minor holiday chanukkah may be, but it is one that brings joy into the heart and soul of every Jew. Chanukkah is special to us because it reminds us of our victory over evil, and with that victory came a miracle. Miracles are a rarity. And to think of the many people in the camp that received such joy from a make shift Chanukkiyah made from a clog, and strings from their clothes, is a miracle. It's a miracle because they felt that spark , maybe for a second or more, it doesn't matter how long. All that matters is that they could feel the warmth and embrace the light of Chanukkah.

Helen
Seattle, WA