Why I Don't Celebrate Hanukkah

Well, this is awkward.

I want to share with you why there are no dreidels nor latkes on my side of the internet at this time of year. But I also don't want to hurt feelings or cause arguments. I value each of you that takes the time to read Land of Honey and want to continue having good relationships with you guys. I've decided to share about this because I get questions and want to clear up any confusion. As always, thank you for your grace and kindness.

I don't celebrate Hanukkah. Okay I did, a couple of times. As someone who grew up celebrating Christmas there is a big void every December. It was easy to embrace Hanukkah as a beautiful and inspirational story of YHWH's provision, especially since it validated precious family time, special foods, and gifts at this time of year. And it certainly made the transition away from Christmas easier. I think the Maccabee story is stunning in so many ways. But I no longer celebrate it.

The realization came one day when someone asked why I don't celebrate Christmas. My answer was that I only celebrate the festivals of YHWH. They asked if I kept the other 'Jewish' holidays like Hanukkah and Purim. "Well yeah," I stumbled. "Since they are biblically based and all." I knew it had to stop.

That was the it moment for me. I am so tired of justifying why my life is different than how Scripture says it should be. Of making excuses for why I add to or take away from YHWH's instructions. Isn't that what I was doing with Christmas? That obviously has biblical tie ins. I have made too many changes to do this again in a different way.

But Hanukkah is the festival of lights and Yahusha is the light! This reasoning is one most in the Messianic movement use. The verses that speak of Yahusha being light are some the most beautiful passages in Scripture, in my opinion. We take them and apply it to the miracle of the oil miraculously burning for eight days. Who doesn't get goosebumps over the 'he is with us' symbolism? There's just a small problem here: while YHWH certainly could have caused one day's supply of oil to last for eight there is no record of that actually happening. Even if there were, I personally don't see how that would justify modifying the menorah as designed by YHWH.

Okay, but Yahusha celebrated Hanukkah. Did he? John 10:22 does say that he was at the Temple during Hanukkah but it doesn't say he was celebrating. One does not read John 10 and picture him manning the latke fryer. I doubt he made punch or lit a nine branch menorah. He definitely wouldn't have uttered the traditional Hanukkah blessing that describes this festival as a command of YHWH. In fact, he was such a buzz kill that the leaders of the Hanukkah party actually tried to stone him there.

If Yahusha wanted us to associate him with Hanukkah wouldn't that have been an excellent opportunity for his 'I am the light' speech? Instead--and this is what got him into trouble--he went with a simple phrase, "My sheep know my voice." In verse 26 he even goes as far to say those at the Hanukkah celebration don't trust him and aren't his sheep.

What's wrong with celebrating a miracle of YHWH though? Well, nothing, as long as we are doing it YHWH's way. And as beautiful and meaningful as Hanukkah celebrations can be, I'm not sure if that's his way. You see, many cultures have a 'Festival of Lights' at this time of year, including the Hindu celebration of Diwali and Persian/Babylonian festival of Chaharshanbe Suri, which has been around since at least 1700 BC. Can you think of another holiday in December that takes historic fact and spiritual significance and then mixes it with pagan tradition? How do you feel about that? Let us not forget that the enemy masquerades as an angel of light.

To clarify, here are a few things I am not saying:
The story of the Maccabees isn't true.
That the miracles YHWH performed at that time aren't amazing.
There aren't good intentions behind those that celebrate this.
I don't have friends I think highly of that celebrate Hanukkah.
Hanukkah can't be fun or special, or even have spiritual significance.

For me it comes down to wanting my faith to be simple and approachable. I want the changes in my life to be based on Scripture and for others to be able to see that. I want to base my life around the things of YHWH and not add other things in, even if they are special and meaningful. I want to emphasize YHWH's set apart times more than manmade holidays.
This is why I have decided not to celebrate it. There are many people and ministries I think very well of that would disagree with me on this. As always, you should search out Scripture and pray about how YHWH would have you to live. 

If you do celebrate Hanukkah I would ask you to consider:

-Making it clear that this is not a commandment of YHWH. The traditional blessing of, "Blessed are you, Adonai our God, king of the universe, who sanctifies us with mitzvot, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights" is a blatant lie. Don't teach that something is an instruction of YHWH when it is not.

-Treating it as a minor holiday. It's sad that Hanukkah is better represented in culture than the actual festivals of YHWH. Don't put more effort, time, or money into a manmade holiday than you do YHWH's.

-Using a seven branch menorah. Accurately represent YHWH's menorah to friends and family by using the dimensions he laid out.

-Exploring the historic facts around the Maccabean revolt. And asking some hard questions about the oil, the priesthood/kingship the Maccabees established, and historic facts about the beginning of Hanukkah. Did you know the Pharisees actually started as a protest against the Maccabees? There's a lot to learn here!

So there you have my thoughts on Hanukkah. My goal is never to tell anyone what to do, but since I get asked this a lot I decided to share. I hope this helps to clear up any confusion!

Related posts:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
Why Hanukkah is Not a Biblical Holiday
Why I Stopped Celebrating Christmas

Matzah Week Recipes

I think we've missed it with the Feast of Unleavened Bread, guys. Scripture describes this week as a feast, and that means lots of delicious and nourishing food. I'm not sure why we have accepted Matzah Week as a time of inferior cuisine.

Shopping this weekend I discovered a special 'Kosher for Passover' section at a grocery store. It contained everything from cereals to mayonnaise to cookies, all certified Kosher for Passover. (Need an overview of what 'Kosher for Passover is? Click here.) These items were all pricey, and the few that I've tried I wasn't impressed with. And the ingredient list? Sketchy at best. There were lots of things I wouldn't want to eat at any time of the year, but especially as a celebration of the goodness and greatness of YHWH. I want to see us get back on track. Like the Passover Seder, what we eat during Matzah Week expresses something about who we believe YHWH is. I believe that he created plenty of foods that are nourishing and wonderful and appropriate to eat during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

These recipes are as is kosher for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread week. No alterations, substitutions, or tracking down strange ingredients necessary. These are made with real, nourishing, whole foods that are found in regular grocery stores. When I made this list I purposefully searched for recipes that would go well with homemade matzah. This week is about unleavened bread after all.

Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls from Cookie and Kate

Roasted Carrot Lentil Salad with Tahini Dressing from A Beautiful Plate

Lentils are definitely a go to during Unleavened Bread. Also check out, Creamy French Lentils with Mushrooms from the First Mess, and Jenny Kayne's Middle Eastern Grilled Vegetable and Lentil Bowl would be perfect with einkorn matzah. 

Kale and Roasted Red Kuri Squash Salad from A House in the Hills

Crispy Baked Falafel from Cookie and Kate

Falafel is one of my favorites and can definitely be made without any flour. For a lentil version check out A Pinch of Yum's Ultimate Winter Bliss Bowls with Lentil Falafel.

 Purple Sweet Potato Kale Hash with Fried Eggs from A House in the Hills

Coconut Curry Butternut Soup from Alice and Lois

Black Bean Hummus from A Beautiful Mess

Spinach and Butternut Squash Daal from Nutrition Stripped

Baked Potatoes with Ricotta and Swiss Chard from Reclaiming Provincial

Mediterranean Lentil Dip from Minimalist Baker

By the way, a lot of olives are free of chametz. Look for kalamatas or other red ones as they are usually preserved in red wine vinegar.

Simple Seedy Slaw from Cookie and Kate

Smoked Salmon Omelette with Chive Creme Fraiche from Drizzle and Dip

Simple Herbed Roasted Chicken with Mixed Vegetables from A Beautiful Plate

Garlicky Kale Salad with Crispy Chickpeas from Minimalist Baker

Winter Fruit and Citrus Salad from Sugar & Cloth

Marinara and Cottage Cheese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash from Making Thyme for Health

Sarah has other great spaghetti squash recipes too, like Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti Squash Bake and Spaghetti Squash Bowls with Mushroom Lentil Marinara.

Spicy Black Bean Soup from Cookie and Kate
I have yet to serve this soup to someone who didn't like it!

Beetroot Salmon Gravadlax from Drizzle and Dip
Or try Smoked Salmon Chowder from A Pinch of Yum or Cooking Classy's Baked Salmon and Asparagus in Foil.

Toasted Sesame and Miso Dressing from A Beautiful Mess
Many commercial salad dressings are chametz but making your own doesn't take long at all.

Roasted Pumpkin with Chili Yogurt and Coriander Sauce from Drizzle and Dip

Crispy Sweet Potatoes from Reclaiming Provincial

Super Green Frittata from A House in the Hills

Carrots with Black Garlic and Herb Yoghurt from Top With Cinnamon

Beet Salad with Fennel, Orange, and Whipped Ricotta from A Beautiful Plate

Roasted Vegetables and Chicken from Alice and Lois

Creme Fraiche Mashed Potatoes from Reclaiming Provincial

Butternut Squash Hummus from Minimalist Baker

This would be great with soft or crunchy matzah!

Butternut Squash Frittata from Cookie and Kate

Kabocha Shakshuka from A House in the Hills

Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili from Making Thyme for Health

Double check your chipotles as I've seen some kosher for Passover, but not all. You can sub fresh jalapeno if you prefer.

Smoked Salmon Mousse from A Beautiful Mess

This with cucumber on einkorn matzah will be my go to next week!

Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate Seeds, Mint, and Toasted Almonds from A Beautiful Plate

We forget how wonderful cauliflower is until we eat it again. Anyone else feel this way?

Cumin Spiked Carrot Salad from Top With Cinnamon

Vegetarian Chili from Cookie and Kate

Brussels Sprouts and Purple Potato Hash from A Beautiful Mess

Cajun Sweet Potato Fries from Minimalist Baker

Homemade Salsa from Alice and Lois
Use with burrito bowls, black bean soup, or as part of a taco salad.

Golden Milk Macaroons from Minimalist Baker

These are loaded with antioxidants from the turmeric, ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Chocolate Cherry Meringue Stack Cake from Top With Cinnamon
I know what I'll be having for dessert.

Isn't the abundance of healthy meal options amazing? While YHWH does give certain restrictions on our eating he bountifully provides for our needs.

What are you looking forward to making during Matzah Week? Share your favorite recipes with us!

Spring Feast Printable Roundup

My first Passover was more than ten years ago. It was new to us and we had no idea what it was supposed to look like. I remember scouring the internet for something, anything to get a better idea of how to celebrate and finding almost nothing of help. You could hardly find anything online about Passover, let alone the Feasts of Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. Today it is so exciting to see other bloggers sharing their creativity to help us celebrate YHWH's feasts! Today I am sharing with you a few free resources that will help you celebrate the Spring Feasts this year, whether or not you are new to it.

1. Passover Printable - Land of Honey
- I shared this last year, but it's still a great way to decorate!

2. Passover Busy Book for Kids - Torah Sisters
- With puzzles, coloring pages, and mazes this will keep kids occupied at the Seder table or use it for fun throughout the week of Unleavened Bread.

3. Why Is It Place Cards - Almost Makes Perfect
-A quick way to make your Seder table a little more sophisticated and have the Ma Nishtana at the ready.

4. Ten Plagues Finger Puppets - Tori Avey
-Tori thoughtfully made two versions, one is in color ready to print, and the other is black and white to color yourself.

5. Happy Passover Cards - The Climbing Tree
-Since Passover things aren't easy to find, this is just what we need to spread the joy of the Spring Feasts and say, "Chag Sameach!"

6. Find the Afikoman Game - Joyfully Jewish
-This sounds so fun! Go on a treasure hunt and work on your Hebrew. Print off a set in a different color for each child participating.

7. Seder Plate Labels - Chai and Home
-An elegant addition to your Seder Plate that will teach a little Hebrew.

8. Four Cups of Wine Printable - Hebraic Roots Network
-A fun decoration to remind us of the Seder meal.

9. Unleavened Matzah Verse - Land of Honey
-Keep this up for the duration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

10. Count the Omer Calendar - Kosher on a Budget
-A simple way to count the days until Shavuot.

11. He is Risen Printable - Kraft and Mint
-Use this to celebrate First Fruits!

12. Passover Matching Cards - The Climbing Tree
-Two activities in one. Decorate the cards, then play memory games.

I would recommend printing on a thicker cardstock type of paper. It's sturdy and gives it a better look I think. Of course you can also opt to have these professionally printed if that works better for you. If you know of any other great printables for the Spring Feasts please share with us below!