1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Judaism

Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah?

From Lisa Katz, About.com Guide

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).

More Judaism Q&A
Explore Judaism
About.com Special Features

Holiday Central

What to eat, where to go, fun things to do and how to save money on the perfect gifts. More >

Prayers for All Occasions

Use these prayers to inspire and inform your own conversations with God. More >

  1. Home
  2. Religion & Spirituality
  3. Judaism
  4. ABC's of Judaism
  5. Ask the Rabbi Q&A
  6. Ask Conservative Rabbis
  7. Conservative FAQ: Lerner
  8. Interfaith Questions
  9. Conservative Rabbi - Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah?

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.