Chanukah is Coming to Town!
Chanukah is Coming to Town!

Growing up in California, years before the more generic and politically correct, 'Happy Holidays' or 'Season's Greetings' greetings Why, when lighting the Chanukah candles, does Jewish law state that the candles must stay lit for at least 30 minutes.
became the acceptable norm; I'd be bombarded by expressions of 'Merry Christmas' everywhere I went. A few stores might take the trouble to put up a small 'Happy Chanukah' sign next to their yuletide decorations, but they were few and far between.

At least this year Chanukah and Christmas don't overlap. In fact, by the time December 25th rolls around, Chanukah will have been over by two weeks. Still, that probably won't stop many non-Jews from wishing their Jewish friends a 'Happy Chanukah'
well into late December. I wonder if anyone will bother to point out to them that Chanukah is over. It's the equivalent of wishing someone a 'Happy 4th of July' on July 15th.

Some Jewish celebrities have cashed in on the clash. Comedian-actor Adam Sandler has recorded three versions of his now famous, 'The Chanukah Song', where he provides lists of Jewish celebrities he envisions celebrating the Festival of Lights instead of putting up a tree.

Two years ago, Jewish comedian and satirist Jon Stewart appeared in pal Stephen Colbert's TV special 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!' just long enough to sing a three minute duet entitled  'Can I Interest You in Chanukah?' where he tries
his best to entice his friend to give Chanukah a try.

Jon Stewart: Can I interest you in Chanukah? Maybe something in a Festival of Lights?
It's a sensible alternative to Christmas, and it lasts for seven - for you - eight nights.
Stephen Colbert: Chanukah huh? I've never really thought about it.
Jon: Well, you could do worse.
Stephen: Is it merry?
Jon: It's kind of merry.
Stephen: Is it cheery?
Jon: It's got some cheer.
Stephen: Is it jolly?
Jon: Look, I wouldn't know from jolly. But it's not my least unfavorite time of year.
Stephen: When's it start?
Jon: The 25th.
Stephen: Of December?
Jon: Kislev.
Stephen: Which is when exactly?
Jon: I will check.
Stephen: Are there presents?
Jon: Yes, indeed 8 days of presents. Which means one nice one, then a week of useless junk.
Stephen: Does Chanukah commemorate events profound and holy?
Jon: No, oil that burned quite slowly.
Stephen: Well, it sounds fantastic!
Jon: There's more. We have latkes.
Stephen: What are they?
Jon: Potato pancakes. We have dreidels.
Stephen: What are they?
Jon: Wooden tops. We have candles.
Stephen: What are they?
Jon: THEY ARE CANDLES! And when we light them, oh the fun it never stops. What do you
say, Stephen, do you want to give Chanukah a try?

Stephen: No thanks I'll pass. You keep your potato pancakes. But I hope that you
enjoy 'em, on behalf of all of the goyim.
Jon: Be sure to tell the Pontiff, my people say 'Good Yontiff'.
Stephen: That's exactly what I'll do.

It's a funny bit as Stewart plays the nebbech well and Colbert hams it up as the smiling gentile. But in reality, Jon Stewart is probably the most popular and influential Jew on American television today. In fact, Stephen Colbert owes Stewart a great debt for his success, as his own program, 'The Colbert Report', is a spin-off of his correspondent reports on Stewart's 'The Daily Show'.

But while Chanukah and Christmas have a two week buffer period this year, my mind drifts back to a year they didn't. Five years ago, when my younger brother got married in Israel, I had in mind the perfect shtick (entertainment routine/gimmick) for his wedding. His wedding fell on the first night of Chanukah, but it also happened to be December 25th.

So off I went to find a Santa Claus costume. My search took me to the basement level of the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station. I must admit I felt very self-conscious as a religious Jew, buying a Santa suit in the heart of Israel. Ok, I was not a Rabbi walking into a McDonald's and ordering a cheeseburger, but it still felt awkward.

"One size fits all," the salesman told me in Russian accented Hebrew. I purchased the red coat with the white trimming, a white beard, a few matching Santa hats to pass around at the big event, and rushed out of there.

As my brother's wedding drear near, my older sister, who was privy to my joke, warned me to be careful. Her husband had tried a similar bit a few years prior when their family traveled from Israel to his nephew's late December wedding in New Jersey. When my brother in law pulled out a Santa hat during the festivities, everyone freaked out and made him take it off  immediately.

But when my brother's big night came, it was not what I expected. At one point during the dancing, I ducked out and changed into my costume. When I rejoined the dancing, a few certainly recognized the red-coated, white-bearded figure I was dressed as, but hardly any in the mostly Israeli crowd made any connection to the day being December 25th. I passed out the hats and a few of my brother's Hesder yeshiva friends even danced with them on. One of them even sat on my lap to tell me what gifts he wanted as the photographer snapped a photo.

But all that lasted a grand total of five minutes, tops. Some of the guests on the far side of the hall, including the Israeli bride's family, didn't even see my outfit; and my appearance as Santa Claus at their wedding has been totally forgotten.

As I reflect back on that moment, I wonder if it was the proper thing to do. In the big scheme of things it was quite insignificant. In fact, it strengthens the fact that among Jews in Israel, Santa Claus is not a significant figure. For those of us who lived in other countries where we couldn't escape his image all December, living in Israel has given us, for the most part, a respite. It was comforting to know that in Israel, a dancing Santa Claus at a wedding of a Jewish couple was nothing more than a passing curiosity, soon forgotten. Many may remember how the wedding took place on the first night of Chanukah, and the lighting of the
first candle at the banquet hall, but I doubt any remember my brief appearance in costume.

Apparently Santa Claus doesn't fully register with Israelis. Some American friends of mine were once sitting in a municipal succah in Jerusalem's Old City which obviously got its decorations from abroad. How else could one explain Santa and his reindeer hanging in the corner? On a subsequent March visit to a Jerusalem sweet shop they found Santa chocolates (certified Kosher) mixed in with the Purim candy.

Chanukah celebrates how a small band of Jews in the land of Israel rejected the Greek culture thrust upon them by their enemies. They insisted on sticking to their own traditions. It's nice to see some things haven't changed in 2000 years.

I always wondered why, when lighting the Chanukah candles, Jewish law states that the candles must stay lit for at least 30 minutes. I understand the reasoning that they must burn into the night for a little while as there must be an opportunity for passersby to see them, but could there be another practical reason for the minimum time requirement?

In the digital, YouTube age we live in, our lives seem to be measured in short clips. If someone sends me a two or three minute video link by e mail, I may take time to watch it quickly, pass it on, but then forget about it instantly. But something that lasts half an hour or longer? Well, that's a commitment. That's something I'll have to make time for.

While my Santa costume is now stuffed away in a box somewhere in my attic with my Purim costumes, my Chanukia sits proudly on my windowsill with its candles burning brightly.

Chanukah is coming to town! %ad%