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Many connect the celebration of Chanukah with the exchanging of gifts. It might surprise you to learn that gift-giving became a later addition to Chanukah, most likely starting in the United States, in imitation of Christmas. The proximity of both holidays, if not occurring on the same day as this year, made it inevitable that over time, customs from one crept into the other. That is not necessarily a bad thing, for there exists a sacred bridge between Judaism, Christianity and Islam, with Judaism as the parent religion. Rituals and customs in Judaism would have been foundational in the early years of the newer faiths. How many times have you attended a Christian service and heard the phrase “Peace be Unto You”, or attended a Muslim service, and heard the phrase “Salaam Aleikum”. Their source is the Hebrew phrase “Shalom Aleichem”. But where did the exchange of gifts originate?

It came from Purim. Purim? Yes, Purim. We read in the Book of Esther 9:22: Moreover, he [Mordechai] charged them to observe those days with feasting, with merrymaking, with sending of presents [my choice of bold] to each other, and with giving alms to the poor. [Rabbinical Assembly, 2022]. These four customs continue to this day, with many continuing to hold a Purim Seudah (feast), giving plates or baskets with food (including hamantaschen), and taking care of those in our community who need our attention. We would be hard-pressed to think of a Purim where we experienced people exchanging wrapped presents, as the gift exchange is primarily food-based. But this is the original gift-giving Jewish holiday.

Over time, there were many households in America where children would receive not one, but eight gifts, one for each night. Regardless of one’s faith, the exchange of gifts is always fun and exciting. But Judaism demands more of us. While we can give gifts to those who are important to us, let us not lose sight of those in need, who might not be able to exchange gifts with anyone.

Lost in the celebration of Chanukah is its root origins. The community of ancient Judea was ruled by the Syrian Greeks, who wished to assimilate the Jewish community. When forced assimilation was not effective, stricter means were established by Antiochus. This caused the Maccabean rebellion, and fortunately the Jews were victorious. We celebrate the rights of a minority to observe its faith today, as there continues to be those who challenge our right to exist. My answer to them remains the same: When they do more anti-Jewish, we do more Jewish! One way to achieve this lofty goal is to set aside one day or night of Chanukah and devote it to helping those in need. This can be by donating funds to a favorite cause or donating time in a meaningful way. We thus fulfill the intent of the mitzvot to remember the stranger, the widow and the orphan, just as we did in the year 168 BCE, 2192 years ago. We never let the light go out, and we never will.