Do Jews celebrate Christmas?

Why not

Jewish law asks Jews not to adopt the religious practices of other faiths – “you shall not follow their customs” (Leviticus 18:3) – and Christmas is a religious celebration of a belief Judaism does not share. Decorating a tree, attending a Christmas service or holding a Christmas celebration are therefore avoided by observant Jews.

Respect and good neighbourliness

This is not hostility. The Talmud encourages greeting people of all faiths warmly “for the sake of peace”, visiting their sick and supporting their poor. Many Jews return a “Merry Christmas” with “Happy holidays” or “Same to you”, attend an office party as a social event, or volunteer on December 25 so that Christian colleagues can be with their families.

Hanukkah is not “Jewish Christmas”

Hanukkah falls in December in most years and gift-giving has grown around it in Western countries, but it commemorates the Maccabees’ victory and the rededication of the Temple in the second century BCE. Its traditional observances are lighting the menorah, praise prayers (Hallel) and publicising the miracle.

Nittel Nacht

Some Hasidic communities have a custom on Christmas Eve, called Nittel Nacht, of not studying Torah until midnight – a custom born in a time of danger for Jews in Europe.