“The 25th of…,” Rabbi Elaine Zecher’s Shabbat Awakenings
December 20, 2024 | 20 Kislev 5785
Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection, as we make our way toward Shabbat and eventually the celebration of Chanukah on Wednesday eve. You can listen to it as a podcast here.
The 25th of…
We think we know the rest of the phrase because it is ingrained into our American consciousness as a national holiday when President Ulysses Grant made it so in 1870. That declaration bestowed federal protection just like President’s Day or Thanksgiving. The 25th of December also has a very religious and spiritual significance for many who celebrate it though it may have been vanquished by the ever present consumerism.
Now why bring this up in a Shabbat Awakenings?
The 25th of December coincides with the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the first day of Chanukah. The fact that both holidays occur this year on the 25th day of the month appears to be a coincidence, as much as I tried to uncover some interconnected alliance.
Which came first and does it really matter?
The Jewish calendar is lunar, accented by the sun with a leap month to ensure that Pesach occurs in the Spring. Christmas is tied now to the Gregorian calendar, placed at this time of year some time in the 4th century. Some say it was set then as an alternative to pagan holidays. The story of Chanukah occurred 600 years before with the rise of the Maccabees and their reclamation of the Temple and its rededication. The book of Maccabees documented that it occurred on the 25th of Kislev.
Much of the story of Chanukah focuses on the tension of asserting the ability to celebrate Judaism in the face of a dominant culture led by Antiochus who sought to prevent its existence. It also reminds us of the internal tension of those who wanted to assimilate into that prevailing Hellenistic culture. And here we are over two millennia later with a calendar overlap.
What is the message now? Is it ok to be different? Is it alright to recognize the validity of the present culture in which we live? What is the balance?
The answer is in the words of the prophet, Zechariah (4:6), who said not by might and not by power but by My spirit. Let’s focus there. Whether Christmas is overwhelming or even part of your extended family tradition. Whether Chanukah has grown in importance because of when it falls and has taken on some other traditions like emphasis on gift giving. It is the internal, sacred experience that matters. Occurring close to the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, both focus on light, on family, on historical/mythic moments of truth, and on the Divine presence as these sacred days bring us together with community.
As the sun sets on the 25th of December, the moon will rise on the 25th of Kislev. Before the clock strikes midnight, “Chanu-mas” or “Chris-ukah” or more correctly Chanukah and Christmas will occur all together. Perhaps, it is the universe reminding us that there are some moments in time that transcend difference and allow us to recognize that we can all celebrate at the same time in our own particular ways.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Chanukah חג שמח! שבת שלום!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday and I look forward to hearing your thoughts and impressions HERE.
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Rabbi Elaine Zecher