Thank you...

[conuly]

Article on the Real Meaning of Channukah

Not that I'm Jewish. I've got my cousin Frances, but I don't think she's really Jewish either. However, I've been *trying* to tell people that Hannukah isn't a major holiday for *years* now. I get the same sort of responses as I do when I try to tell people that God sent an animal to kill 42 children for calling a man bald. Honestly, I don't know why I even bother.

Actually, I *don't* know why I bother. That's really rather mean-spirited of me, isn't it? Well, they started it. Usually.

Comments

[prezzey.livejournal.com]

FYI: Chanukah gelt can involve real money, so yes, there is a tradition of giving gifts on Chanukah... but only money. (Has a halachic reason AFAIK)

Chanukah is more of a national holiday than a religious one (after all it has to do with freedom fighters), so someone *can* observe Chanukah if they aren't religious but still feel part of the "tribe" - most Jews here in Hungary are like that. Even our ultra-secular Sochnut guys light their candles.

But yes, it isn't a major religious holiday.

(I'm Ortho duh so I observe the tiniest minor
holidays ;] But I'm a huge minority here.)

[conuly]

So, wait, why do people give money?

[prezzey.livejournal.com]

AFAIR, it's supposed to be a reminder of one of the commandments of Chanukah. It's important that you should not use the lights of the chanukiah for other purposes than as a reminder of the events that we commemorate on Chanukah. The example used for "other purposes" has traditionally been "you can't count your money by the chanukiah's light". So, giving money is a reminder of this commandment.