Just read this on http://www.askmoses.com/ I really liked this response to "Can I have a Hanukkah Tree"
Remember what Chanukah is all about
Posted by: Lisa, West Hempstead, NY on Dec 28, 2005
It’s quite ironic that out of all the Jewish Holidays it is on Chanukah that people want to “adopt” other cultures and celebrate “like everyone else”.
On Passover we celebrate freedom from slavery. On Purim we celebrate freedom from the threat of annihilation. In the story of Chanukah. however, they didn’t want to kill us or enslave us. All the Greeks wanted was to deprive us of our own identity and make us “like everyone else.” They hated the fact that we have our own Jewish culture and pride. They tried first to persuade us, then to force us, to “adopt” their culture and customs.
We celebrate Chanukah precisely because we didn’t cave to the “peer pressure” and remained dedicated to our own heritage, traditions and holidays. G-d saw our devotion and determination, He performed miracles, and gave us yet another holiday to celebrate with pride and Joy.
On Chanukah we celebrate a victory over “cultural oppressors”. We remember that people fought for our right to practice our OWN traditions. So it would only make sense that when celebrating Chanukah today, you celebrate the miracle by being proud of who YOU are!
On Passover we celebrate freedom from slavery. On Purim we celebrate freedom from the threat of annihilation. In the story of Chanukah. however, they didn’t want to kill us or enslave us. All the Greeks wanted was to deprive us of our own identity and make us “like everyone else.” They hated the fact that we have our own Jewish culture and pride. They tried first to persuade us, then to force us, to “adopt” their culture and customs.
We celebrate Chanukah precisely because we didn’t cave to the “peer pressure” and remained dedicated to our own heritage, traditions and holidays. G-d saw our devotion and determination, He performed miracles, and gave us yet another holiday to celebrate with pride and Joy.
On Chanukah we celebrate a victory over “cultural oppressors”. We remember that people fought for our right to practice our OWN traditions. So it would only make sense that when celebrating Chanukah today, you celebrate the miracle by being proud of who YOU are!
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