Of Menorahs and Dreidels

I'm Jewish. I have always admired the often extremely creative Christmas decorations on neighboring homes and yards. And I have come to understand the decor as a rich tradition going back many years - one that varies in intensity and execution from town to town. But I have never understood why some families that observe Hanukkah recently decided to place giant menorahs, dreidels and other indicia of Hanukkah in their yards. It always stuck me (and some non-Jews I know) as an over-the-top, unnecessarily competitive gesture - an arms race out of place with the Jewish tradition I know. And I cringe every year when I see a big menora-saurus in someone's yard. I'd be interested to hear if others feel this way. Why do my fellow Jews feel the need to compete on this front? (I expect to get flamed on this one. But we're in a time, I think, where the more we can discuss religion, the better the world will be....)

Were I Christian I think that I would be more of the wreath and candle in the window type so I do not like any ostentatious display. But decorating for the holiday does not violate any Jewish precept.

There is a reason that so many religions have festivals near the shortest day of the year that involve lights. It help fight a basic human fear and all comes originally from ancient pagan rights.

If someone wants to decorate their home or yard in a manner others might consider over the top, it really doesn't bother me one way or another.  I thoroughly enjoy some holiday decorations like my neighbors humongous Christmas tree which can be seen blocks away, even though I don't celebrate Christmas.  Personally, I limit my Hanukkah "decoration" to a single menorah which can be seen out a side window and a display of the holiday cards of all types we receive this time of year that shares a table with the menorah. 

We're "wreath-and-window-candle" people.

Inflatable figures are not religious symbols.  It's just their Christmas.

Could it be for small children in those households? They get pretty excited by decorations and lights. But I also like the explanation above about everyone liking extra light as we go into the dark days of winter. I always hate it when people take down their Christmas lights because the extra light is so cheerful. To me, at least.

It's a somewhat tricky question, especially since Hanukkah is a minor religious holiday while Xmas is either a major religious holiday and/or a seasonal celebration for all. One possible explanation for the display is that the family's kids may be envious of their non-Jewish friends' Xmas trees and such. Perhaps the lawn display makes the kids happy in this context. In any case, I'm happy to see any and all holiday decorations because I view them as upbeat expressions, and these days anything upbeat is a welcome refreshment.

How about everyone simply does what they like to do and those who don't like something... don't look at it?

[Thank you for your edits.  I have removed your original post and my comments on it]

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As a somewhat observant Jew, I don't put such things on the yard (and wouldn't if I were Christian either...it just isn't my style).  But in the name of giving my small children some of the holiday decor that I crave, I have some more modest indoor and door decor.  That isn't competition, but it is an accommodation to living in a diverse and secular-Christmas-mad culture.  

My children love seeing the occasional evidence of other Jewish homes (including the one you attack so specifically) as we drive around town in this season.

balazeke4 said:

I'm Jewish. I have always admired the often extremely creative Christmas decorations on neighboring homes and yards. And I have come to understand the decor as a rich tradition going back many years - one that varies in intensity and execution from town to town. But I have never understood why some families that observe Hanukkah recently decided to place giant menorahs, dreidels and other indicia of Hanukkah in their yards. It always stuck me (and some non-Jews I know) as an over-the-top, unnecessarily competitive gesture - an arms race out of place with the Jewish tradition I know. For instance, I cringe every year when the family at the corner of *** and *** loads up their yard with a big menora-saurus and other symbols. I'd be interested to hear if others feel this way. Why do my fellow Jews feel the need to compete on this front? (I expect to get flamed on this one. But we're in a time, I think, where the more we can discuss religion, the better the world will be....)

It is a tradition, but certainly not religious.  I'd say about 99% of the outdoor decorations one will see for the holidays (outdoor lights, roof line light up icicles, blow up decorations) were only invented in the last century, most much less than that even. If the expression of the Christmas holiday is allowed to evolve then why shouldn't other religions and holidays be allowed the same creativity?

susan1014 said:

Please do think about your decision to call out a local family so specifically, simply because you don't agree with them.  I don't think that is in the spirit of any religion's holiday tradition.  

Agree... 

spontaneous said:

 If the expression of the Christmas holiday is allowed to evolve then why shouldn't other religions and holidays be allowed the same creativity?

I understand the OPs concern from a traditional standpoint. The miracle of the oil lasting 8 days seems more apparent when one's menorah's light can only last minutes to hours. The miracle may seem less miraculous when electricity can provide non-stop light for longer than the miracle being celebrated.

That being said, I don't think it diminishes the understanding of the miracle in more traditional households if others choose to go with displays that are less traditional. 

And yet, I can also see how the appearance of Christmas-style displays may be disheartening to some who see it as Jewish traditions appearing to be assimilating to Christian culture. It's complex and emotional. Sometimes resulting in a first post that might have been framed a bit more generally, rather than as a finger-pointing.

In fairness, I don't even think a lot of Christmas is Christian culture anymore. We're religious and you won't find inflatable snowmen and such on our lawn. That's not to say you can't be religious and have both, but Frosty and Santa don't have anything to do with the religious celebration. I do think our society overall has developed a really strong "Christmas culture" that really just takes over December and I can only imagine that must be difficult to navigate. So many things are just "winter fun," really, but they get lumped in with Christmas now. 

It's all an eyesore. If you must have them put them up a few days before the holiday and take then down a few days after. Decorate the inside of your house if you want them up for weeks.

badscooter said:

It's all an eyesore. If you must have them put them up a few days before the holiday and take then down a few days after. Decorate the inside of your house if you want them up for weeks.

I hope you are referring to ALL decorations and not just the Hanukkah ones the OP mentioned.

It's the  winter solstice--the darkest day of the year.  So we, Jewish atheists, string lights along our shrubbery, to chase away the darkness, and to banish our dark moods.  And we light a menorah to celebrate the victory of a small guerrilla army of freedom fighters over the large army of a tyrannical ruling state.

Even here in the sub tropics, the nights are particularly dark where we are... We have little solar fairy lights along our paths and in the branches of trees on the edges of the paths because otherwise you'd never know where to walk down to our front door (at the back of the property). Our neighbours might think they're seasonal holyday decorations but they wouldn't know which holy season we observe. 

Anyway, my parents taught me that outdoor Christmas lights came from the earliest Chanukiot; early Christians mimicked the custom to replicate the Star and to indicate their homes were the new faith. (Other decorating customs came from other faith traditions, like the Yule log etc) 

spontaneous said:

badscooter said:

It's all an eyesore. If you must have them put them up a few days before the holiday and take then down a few days after. Decorate the inside of your house if you want them up for weeks.

I hope you are referring to ALL decorations and not just the Hanukkah ones the OP mentioned.

I am

badscooter said:

spontaneous said:

badscooter said:

It's all an eyesore. If you must have them put them up a few days before the holiday and take then down a few days after. Decorate the inside of your house if you want them up for weeks.

I hope you are referring to ALL decorations and not just the Hanukkah ones the OP mentioned.

I am

I will admit to raising an eyebrow at houses that keep wreaths up until Easter, but lights and stuff that stay up all winter don't bother me personally. I think they look pretty in the snow and make the winter months a little less dreary.

Spontaneous, I totally agree about the lights, love to see them all winter too!

lizziecat said:

It's the  winter solstice--the darkest day of the year.  So we, Jewish atheists, string lights along our shrubbery, to chase away the darkness, and to banish our dark moods.  And we light a menorah to celebrate the victory of a small guerrilla army of freedom fighters over the large army of a tyrannical ruling state.

And then THIS guy shows up for a while...

We had a wonderful, culturally ecumenical Solstice in 50s and 60s Cleveland. We'd have delicious matzoh ball soup and pastrami sandwiches at Solomon's Deli, and as night fell, drove around the Polish and Irish and Italian neighborhoods and would delight in their beautiful lights and decorations. We had the best of many worlds on our little community.

I can't believe someone is saying that decorating a house for Hanukkah is in bad taste because it attempts to compete with Christmas.  First of all, Hannukah, a minor holiday, exists to compete with Christmas.  Everyone knows that.  Second, all holiday decorations are in bad taste.  That's why we love them and we appreciate these bright lights and tacky decorations to help get us through the winter gloom.  The OP needs to stop acting like such a fun sponge and get with the program!    

Lol, @nan, had to google " fun sponge" , love it!

Thanks for your thoughtful responses. I learned a thing or two from them. And I agree it was not necessary to call out one particular neighbor; I edited the post to remove that. Happy holidays to all.

wishing you a Happy Chanukah, with all it represents, from this side of the world! May your family and friends share the candles' light as the light of peace and hope in difficult times, may they all be safe and well, may the season bring blessings to all.

On a side note, ever noticed, nan, that nearly every festival that built around a woman's decisive action is downplayed as 'minor'?? In fact, the 'lesser' status just means that the major location of celebration is in the home not the shul, because we've been observing this festival for thousands of years - there's archaeological evidence. Jesus would have seen the oil version of the Chanukiah lit, and eaten something oily and deep-fried as a seasonal treat. (Possibly a honey puff)