The commercialization of the holidays doesn't stop at Christmas, it has overflowed into Hannukah as well. Many American Jewish children are told of the Hannukah Fairy as a counterpoint to Santa. I'd imagine the stupid conversation goes something like this:

"Mom, why don't Jews believe in Santa?"
"Because we have the Hannukah Fairy."

See? Stupid. Why must there be a counterpart for this botched attempt at a religious holiday that is named Christmas? Why is there this need for equality even among holidays? Outside of N. America, Hannukah isn't even a major holiday.

(this is just another reason why I don't like religion and why I don't celebrate religious holidays if I can avoid it)

I've NEVER heard of the Hannukah Fairy.

It's true that holidays are overly-commercialized... but the meaning behind it shouldn't be thrown out because one doesn't like the commercialization... that seems to be putting the blame where it doesn't go, imo.

But yeah, I can understand how trying to exploit Hannukah with the 'Hannukah fairy' can be kinda annoying. :p For me, it's not about all the commerical holiday-ish stuff... I celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. :)

Do you celebrate chanukkah too?

No, I haven't. But now that you mention it, I might start doing that. :D Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. :)

No he didn't. It's a Talmudic holiday. The Talmud was written long after Jesus' death.

I don't think you're right about that. Here's something to read... click (http://www.light-of-messiah.org/pages/hanukkah%20service.htm). I'll see if I can find something else on this. :)

Actually, I take that back. You win this one.

John 10:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=John+10%3A22&version=NIV)

http://www.chapelofthelake.org/hanukkah.html
http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-8/Channukah_and_Yeshua.htm
http://biblicalholidays.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1450

edit: woops, I just noticed you posted. thanks. :cool:

I don't know what I was thinking when I posted that. I had actually read about the Maccabees earlier today...

back on topic, chaunkkah fairy is silly.

Agreed, it is silly. I myself have never been told of such a creation, but I know people who have in their youths been under such an impression.

Most of the time, it's just used as a joke, though.

Okay. Where's the photochop of a fairy with a yarmulke?
:D :D :D

Originally posted by buttercup
John 10:22 (http://www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&passage=John+10%3A22&version=NIV)

http://www.chapelofthelake.org/hanukkah.html
http://www.msgr.ca/msgr-8/Channukah_and_Yeshua.htm
http://biblicalholidays.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1450

edit: woops, I just noticed you posted. thanks. :cool:

1456 egkainia egkainia eng-kah'-ee-nee-ah

plural of a presumed compound from 1722 and 2537;; n n

AV - feast of dedication 1; 1

1) dedication, consecration
1a) in particular the annual feast celebrated eight days beginning in the 25th of Chislev (middle of our December), instituted by Judas Maccabaeus [164 BC] in memory of the cleansing of the temple from the pollution of Antiochus Epiphanes

22 ¶ And <1161> it was <1096> (5633) at <1722> Jerusalem <2414> the feast of the dedication <1456>, and <2532> it was <2258> (5713) winter <5494>.

Originally posted by 206
Okay. Where's the photochop of a fairy with a yarmulke?
:D :D :D

It's gotta happen.

Originally posted by Banky

in memory of the cleansing of the temple from the pollution of Antiochus Epiphanes

Haha, Oy, kind of ironic, it'z, that one of the very first christian centers was in antioch.

hi. i am jewish....and never heard if it.

It is interesting that Strong's word #1456 egkainia, is only mentioned in John 10:22 and no where else in the Bible. If that is actually what is referenced it is a national holiday in the Zionist sense, and should not to be confused with the seven annual festivals of the Old Testament which are:

1 Passover - represents the sacrifice of Christ in paying the penalty of human sin repented of.

2 Festival of Unleavened Bread - represents the Church coming out of sin

3 Day of Pentacost - represents the Church as the firstfruits begotten out of the Church age

4 Feast of Trumpets - represents the Second Coming in which Jesus takes over the earth's throne from Satan

5 Day of Atonement - represents the putting away of Satan

6 Feast of Tabernacles - represents the thousand year reign of Christ

6 Final Great Day - judgement

I see no evidence in John 10:22 that Jesus actively observed any Holy Days other than those instituted by his Father. Keep in mind, the Jews would always get an urge to kill him when he didn't conform his observances with theirs such as with the weekly Sabbath. Interestingly, shortly after the feast of the dedication is mentioned...

John 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.