The Hanukkah bush is not a Hebrew version of a Christmas tree, but rather a controversial tradition in Judaism. While some embrace it, others find it offensive as it hints at Christmas. Christmas trees are associated with Christianity, while Hanukkah bushes may have non-religious ornaments. Some Jews observe the tradition, particularly in Reform or Reconstructionist sects, while Orthodox rabbis advise against it. Russian Jews may have a Christmas tree to celebrate the Russian New Year.
Many hear the term Hanukkah bush (alternately spelled Chanukah bush) and assume that this is just the Hebrew version of a Christmas tree. While this assumption would be correct in some cases, it would be a mistake to assume that such bushes have much to do with Christmas. There is considerable controversy as to whether having a Hanukkah bush in the home is acceptable in Judaism. While some people in certain sects embrace them, others find them offensive because they hint at the ideas of Christmas.
Christmas trees are strongly associated with Christianity although they are derived from Germanic celebrations which are pagan. Some ornaments would reference religious aspects of Christmas and these would be absent from a Hanukkah bush. Somehow the bush might look similar and have various non-religious ornaments or lights, though not all people decorate their bushes.
Naturally, many Jews do not observe this tradition. Those who usually live in Canada or the United States. When people hold Hanukkah bushes, they may be seen as similar in shape to a menorah, and people may hold bushes for the duration of Hanukkah or starting on Hanukkah and lasting until the secular new year. As many know, the real Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah and is based on a different calendar. The celebration of this holiday occurs in September, although most American and Canadian Jews also celebrate the secular new year which also occurs on January 1.
There are certainly strong feelings against the Hanukkah bush in Jewish thought. Many see Christmas trees as representing a religion that has done everything possible to suppress Judaism for centuries, and in some cases, this view continues to be accurate. Hanukkah is not a legal holiday, but Christmas is. Many businesses and even government offices decorate for Christmas and ignore Hanukkah decorations. Jews might argue that living in a predominantly Christian society is difficult and that in their homes they can at least be free from the trappings of Christianity. Most rabbis, especially Orthodox sects, advise against the Hanukkah bush because it adopts predominant Christian themes, which have no place in Judaism.
There are also proponents of bush Hanukkah, particularly in sects of Judaism that are Reform or Reconstructionist. Here, the tree visualization can be seen as a reference to Christianity. Indeed, some rabbis of these traditions encourage or support their use and argue that Christmas trees are about the commercial aspect of Christmas and have little to do with religion, provided they are not decorated with overtly Christian symbols.
Another tradition observed by Russian Jews is to have a Christmas tree to celebrate the Russian New Year, Novi God. This is a holiday that was created under the Soviet government and was specifically intended to replace any religious traditions. A Christmas tree is part of this celebration as is the arrival of Grandpa Frost or Ded Moroz, a Santa Claus-like figure, who brings presents to the children. It is not at all unusual for Russian Jews to celebrate the coming of Ded Moroz or to have a Christmas tree, and not a Hanukkah bush, in place to observe the Russian New Year celebration.
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