Comments on: How to Decorate the Hanukkah Bush

on 11/19/2008 Sorry, my last post got chopped off. To finish my thought - So... if I do include the lighting the menorah (and having it prominately displayed) and saying prayers, and making latkes... can my Jewish guilt feel better about using blue and white lights to decorate the front of the house, hanging stockings, and maybe some other non-traditional Christmasy things that are more for the children? Hmm... still not sure but it helps to vent and hopefully I'll hear some thoughtful responses.

on 11/19/2008 I'm in a relationship with a non-Jewish woman who will be converting to Judaism. To add to the complexity of her getting acclimated to the holiday season as a Jew, she has two young children who will not be converting. I am wrestling not only with my own thoughts about the holiday season, but am trying to be considerate and respectful of the children (and their father) and still be true to my own Jewish culture/religion.

I have a very hard time considering a Channukah bush, though I absolutely do appreciate the reference to a Tree of Life. But it was also another great point that a Christmas tree and gift giving is really not a religous symbol either - it is more of Hallmark / cultural importance. So... if I do include the lighting the menorah (and having it prominately displayed) and saying prayers, and making latkes... can my Jewish guilt feel better about using blue and white l

on 12/8/2007 Jewish law prohibits adopting traditions from other religions because it results in the loss of our own culture and because it can confuse others to make them misunderstand what we do believe. Add to that you are blowing up one of the most minor holidays on our calander to compete with Christmas and you end up warping things so that many christians and jews seem to think that hanukka is just the jewish christmas. We are losing people to christianity. People call themselves jewish but every year they do less and less that makes them jewish, and more and more that either makes them nothing, or makes them christian.

A chunuka bush, or christmas style chunuka lights, violate jewish law acording to most rabbis & ravs, and more than that, they violate the spririt of what we shoudl be about. Don't do it if you care about being jewish.

on 12/8/2007 Jewish law prohibits adopting traditions from other religions because it results in the loss of our own culture and because it can confuse others to make them misunderstand what we do believe. Add to that you are blowing up one of the most minor holidays on our calander to compete with Christmas and you end up warping things so that many christians and jews seem to think that hanukka is just the jewish christmas. We are losing people to christianity. People call themselves jewish but every year they do less and less that makes them jewish, and more and more that either makes them nothing, or makes them christian.

A chunuka bush, or christmas style chunuka lights, violate jewish law acording to most rabbis & ravs, and more than that, they violate the spririt of what we shoudl be about. Don't do it if you care about being jewish.

on 11/22/2005 Ok folks, it may not be a Hannuka tradition but it doesn't mean it has no place or shouldn't be an additon to the menorah. Its just a decorated tree. It really has no reason for being a Christian tradition either except the fact that someone decided to make it that way. Jesus wasn't born under a tree or anything. And like another person said, presents weren't a Hannuka tradition either. It seemed wrong to me at first but now I just don't see whats the harm. This year I think we will do one. It isn't a Christmas thing if it is decorated with Hannuka things. The tree itself will represent the tree of life and symbolize the survival of our people. This is why a tree is so appropriate. An evergreen is also appropriate because it is a symbol of survival durring a cold winter (much like Jews survive during the many 'cold' times in history and the present day). Unlike many Christians however, I plan to use a potted tree so it will continue to live and grow for many more years after me.

on 11/22/2005 I'm in the process of converting to Judaism. My partner is unaffiliated and also of Christian background. Elementary kosher observance is a radical cultural change for both of us. I could not ask for more support; however, while she doesn't associate the Christmas tree with Christianity, it has deep personal meaning as a lifelong tradition, and she was very crestfallen when she learned "no Christmas tree."

So the Chanuka bush - something that I scoffed at in the beginning - with our handmade stars of David will mean something incredibly special for us. It represents meeting each other half way through learning how to find a solution that accomodates apparently conflicting needs and desires.

on 11/22/2005 I've never heard of this "tradition" except as a tongue-in-cheek joke. To celebrate Hannukah, light the menorah, cook and share potato latkes, play dreidel, and sing songs. The meaning of this holiday is family and freedom. Decorating a bush has no meaning.

on 11/22/2005 A Chanuka bush is a great way to celebrate Chanuka! Though many feel it makes Chanuka too similar to Christmas, this sentiment also came with the tradition of gifts on Chanuka. Each individual family should decide if this is a tradition they want to keep, or not, and whether or not they choose to keep it should not reflect that they are less or more a "traditional Jew".

on 11/22/2005 Instead of giving in to this myth, be proud of your Jewish heritage and decorate your house with menorahs, dreidels, and other Jewish items.

on 11/22/2005 To really embrace the spirit of Hanukkah, try a menorah. It adds lots of warm light, lighting it unites the family, it can be decorative, fun to make out of clay and a real way to celebrate the festival of lights.