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Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah?

From Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner, for About.com

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Question: Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah?

Answer: The answer is very straightforward. Hanukkah was celebrated during the time of Jesus. As a Jew, Jesus would certainly have celebrated Hanukkah. He would have observed the Hanukkah festival according to the laws and customs of his community. The festival would have been celebrated, at least, with the lighting of a Hanukkah lamp (or lamps - there is a debate in the Talmud whether one or more).

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