Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. It is an eight-day celebration marked by the lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games, and gifts. The holiday’s significance lies in its remembrance of religious freedom and the triumph of the Jewish people against oppression.
While both Christianity and Judaism share roots in the Abrahamic tradition and a common heritage in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), fundamental theological differences underpin their distinct religious practices. Christianity centers around the belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the Son of God, a concept not accepted within Judaism. This divergence in core beliefs leads to variations in liturgical calendars, observances, and holy days. The New Testament’s emphasis on Jesus’ teachings and the establishment of the Christian Church as a distinct entity further solidified the separation of religious practices.
