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What criteria render an event worthy of a Jewish Holiday?

by Rabbi Moshe Miller

  

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The Short Answer:

Surviving a mortal threat, or experiencing a miracle. If the event was related to all Jews, the holiday becomes a universal Jewish holiday. If it took place with an individual Jew or Jewish community, it becomes his/their holiday.

The Askmoses Answer: 

In addition to the festivals enjoined explicitly in the Torah (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot), our Sages established Chanukah and Purim as national Jewish festivals – and these are the only ones the entire Jewish community is obligated to observe.

These were the only two times (after the completetion of the Five Books of Moses) when the entire Jewish community was in mortal peril -- Haman's decree of extermination and the Syrian-Greek attempt to destroy the very core of Judaism, Torah and mitzvahs -- and was miraculously saved. After the destruction of the Second Holy Temple and the ensuing dispersion of the Jewish community throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, there was never a time when all of Jewry was in mortal danger.

After the destruction of the Second Holy Temple and the ensuing dispersion of the Jewish community throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, there was never a time when all of Jewry was in mortal danger
However, that does not preclude individuals or communities from observing days of thanksgiving for a particular miracle or event that occurred for them or their ancestors. On the contrary, this is also an obligation: “There are four categories of people who must give thanks – those who crossed the sea or the desert; one who was gravely ill and recovered; one who was released from prison.”1 The Shulchan Aruch adds that any event similar to these where a person was miraculously saved, such as surviving a wall collapse or being gored by an ox, (or their modern equivalent – surviving a car crash) etc., obligates one to give thanks to G-d.

The Talmud relates2 that once when Rabbi Zeira was ill his colleague Rabbi Abahu undertook to make a “Yom Tov” for all the rabbis if Rabbi Zeira would recover, and so he did. This may be the source of the custom to celebrate events like those mentioned above with a meal, although this is not obligatory.

Indeed, throughout history there were several other “Purims” celebrated in communities that were saved from dire situations, such as Purim Hebron, Purim Fossano, Purim Yemen, Purim Saragossa and others.3

Among Chassidim, the 19th day of Kislev, when Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi was absolved of wrong-doing and was released by the Russian authorities, is observed as a special holiday. Similarly, among Chabad Chassidim, the 10th of Kislev, 12-13th Tammuz, 5th Tevet and other days are also celebrated as days of liberation.

It is interesting to note that there is no obligatory celebratory meal on Chanukah, whereas a meal is one of the requirements on Purim. One of the reasons given for this is that the decree on Purim was the physical annihilation of the Jews, whereas the decree on Chanukah was spiritual annihilation. Accordingly, Purim is celebrated with a meal and gifts of food and charity, whereas Chanukah is celebrated by lighting candles and reciting Al Hanissim and Hallel.4    

Footnotes

  • 1. Talmud Berachot 54b; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 219.
  • 2. Berachot 46a.
  • 3. For more information about these other Purim celebrations see http://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/article.asp?AID=1421.
  • 4. See Taz, Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 670 s.k. 3.

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RELATED CATEGORIES

Holidays » General Information » Holiday Information
Torah
Torah is G–d’s teaching to man. In general terms, we refer to the Five Books of Moses as “The Torah.” But in truth, all Jewish beliefs and laws are part of the Torah.
Talmud
Usually referring to the Babylonian edition, it is a compilation of Rabbinic law, commentary and analysis compiled over a 600 year period (200 BCE - 427 CE). Talmudic verse serves as the bedrock of all classic and modern-day Torah-Jewish literature.
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year. An early autumn two day holiday marking the creation of Adam and Eve. On this day we hear the blasts of the ram's horn and accept G-d's sovereignty upon ourselves and the world. On Rosh Hashanah we pray that G-d should grant us all a sweet New Year.
Sukkot
A seven day autumn festival commemorating the miracle of the Heavenly Clouds which enveloped the Jews while traveling in the desert for forty years. On this holiday we dwell in makeshift booths and shake the Four Species.
Yom Kippur
Day of Atonement. This late-autumn high-holiday is the holiest day of the year. We devote this day to repentance and all healthy adults are required to fast.
Chabad
Chabad, an acronym for Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding, is the name of a Chassidic Group founded in the 1770s. Two of the most fundamental teachings of Chabad are the intellectual pursuit of understanding the divine and the willingness to help every Jew who has a spiritual or material need.
Purim
A one-day holiday celebrated in late winter commemorating the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from a decree of annihilation issued by Persian King Ahasuerus in the year 356 BCE.
Chanukah
An eight day mid-winter holiday marking: 1) The miraculous defeat of the mighty Syrian-Greek armies by the undermanned Maccabis in the year 140 BCE. 2) Upon their victory, the oil in the Menorah, sufficient fuel for one night only, burned for eight days and nights.
Hallel
Hebrew word meaning "praise." Normally is a reference to Psalms 113-118-- Psalms of jubilation which are recited during the morning prayers of all joyous holidays.
Chassidim
(Pl.: Chassidim; Adj.: Chassidic) Following the teachings of Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), the founder of "Chassidut." Chassidut emphasizes serving G-d with sincerity and joy, and the importance of connecting to a Rebbe (saintly mentor).
Haman
Descendant of anti-Semitic tribe of Amalek and prime minister of the Persian Empire in the 5th century b.c.e. Schemed to annihilate all the Jews, and the holiday of Purim was established when the plot was foiled.
Moses
[Hebrew pronunciation: Moshe] Greatest prophet to ever live. Led the Jews out of Egyptian bondage amidst awesome miracles; brought down the Tablets from Mount Sinai; and transmitted to us word-for-word the Torah he heard from G-d's mouth. Died in the year 1272 BCE.
Tevet
The tenth month on the Jewish calendar. Falls out in mid-winter.
Shavuot
Early summer festival marking the day when the Jews received the Torah at Mount Sinai in the year 2448 (1312 BCE).
Yom Tov
Jewish Holiday.
Kislev
The ninth month on the Jewish calendar, normally corresponding to November-December. The holiday of Chanukah starts on the 25th of this month.
Tammuz
The fourth month on the Jewish calendar, normally corresponding to June-July.
Pesach
Passover. A Biblically mandated early-spring festival celebrating the Jewish exodus from Egypt in the year 1312 BCE.
Temple
1. Usually a reference to the Holy Temple which was/will be situated in Jerusalem. 1st Temple was built in 825 BCE and was destroyed in 423 BCE. The 2nd Temple was built in 350 BCE and was destroyed in 70 CE. The 3rd Temple will be built by the Messiah. 2. A synagogue.
G-d
It is forbidden to erase or deface the name of G-d. It is therefore customary to insert a dash in middle of G-d's name, allowing us to erase or discard the paper it is written on if necessary.