Do Jewish People Celebrate Easter? Unraveling the Truth Behind this Common Query

The Easter Question: Understanding Jewish Perspectives on the Holiday

Do Jewish people celebrate Easter, a significant Christian holiday best known for celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection? Let’s dive into this inquiry in more depth. 

Jews hail from the ancient Hebrews and Israelites of Judah and Israel, forming a broad religious community with a mosaic of beliefs, ethics, and cultural norms. 

Interestingly, Jews do not honor Easter. Jesus is not regarded as the Messiah in Judaism, and thus his resurrection narrative isn’t accepted. In place of Easter, Jews have their array of religious holidays and festivals. 

A primary event among these is the Passover or Pesach. A notable Jewish holiday, Passover commemorates the freedom of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Taking place in spring, it includes a traditional Seder meal and the recitation of the Exodus tale.

How do Jews celebrate Easter?

Instead of celebrating Easter, Jewish individuals recognise Passover, also referred to as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Alongside Shavuot (Pentecost) and Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), it’s one of the three main pilgrim festivals in Judaism. 

In preparation for Passover, families carry out a thorough cleaning of their homes, ensuring all traces of leavened bread are removed. The heart of the Passover celebration is the Seder. This special meal, carried out on the first two nights of the Passover, is a time of great importance. 

The Seder centers around storytelling, using the Haggadah to share the story of Exodus. It’s a tradition steeped in symbolism, with unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and four cups of wine each representing different parts of the Exodus tale.

Eagerly wondering about the rituals of a Passover Seder? Here’s a smoother introduction: 

• • The custom of eating matzah, or unleavened bread, reminds us that the Jews fled before their bread had a chance to rise.
  • Consuming bitter herbs symbolizes the harsh slavery endured by the Israelites.
  • We revisit the Ten Plagues, a display of divine power by Moses advocating ‘Let my people go’.
  • Reading from the Haggadah, an act that retells the tale of the Exodus, is a key part of the ceremony.
  • The youngest person at the table poses and resolves the four Passover questions, initiating lively discussion.
  • This is a festive event, with song, food, and drink, enjoyed in a relaxed setting.
  Jews commemorate Passover with traditions like attending a special service and participating in a Seder, where Hebrew scriptures from the Torah are read. There’s also a fun custom that might remind you of an Easter egg hunt – the hiding of the Afikoman.  The Afikoman is a piece of matzah bread that’s broken in two at the beginning of the Seder. The head of the household hides it, and then the kids go on a search. The challenge? To be the first to find both pieces and win a small prize, be it money or candy.

Does the Jewish faith celebrate Easter?

Is Easter a Jewish holiday? 

Contrary to popular belief, Jewish people do not celebrate Easter. Instead, they observe other significant holidays that are central to their faith. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Shabbat (The Sabbath)

Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is widely observed by Jewish people and is considered the holiest day of the week. Held from sundown on Friday until nightfall on Saturday, it is a day of rest, celebrating the seventh day, on which God rested after creating the world. This day is about unplugging from the usual daily activities, shifting focus onto things of greater importance like faith, family, and personal reflection. 

During Shabbat, there are several traditional practices that are observed: 

• Candle lighting: This occurs 18 minutes before sunset on Friday, symbolizing the ushering in of the Sabbath with light and joy. It’s typically the women of the house who light the candles and say a blessing.
• Kiddush and the Sabbath meal: Once the Shabbat enters, a prayer (Kiddush) over wine is recited to sanctify the Sabbath, marking its distinctiveness from the rest of the week. Following this is a festive meal.
• Rest and prayer: Jewish people abstain from work and spend their time in prayer, Torah study and rest. They attend synagogue services where certain liturgical prayers specific to Shabbat are recited.
• Havdalah: This is a ceremony marking the end of Shabbat and the beginning of the new week. It involves the lighting of a special candle, a blessing over wine, and a blessing over spices.

The observance of Shabbat is an integral part of Jewish identity and faith. As such, it’s given prime importance—in fact, observing the Sabbath trumps most other commandments and rituals in Judaism. While Shabbat bears no connection to Easter, understanding it is key to appreciating the distinctiveness of Jewish religious observances.

2. Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)

, there’s a lot more to it than just that! Let’s delve deeper into this significant festival in the Jewish calendar.

The term Rosh Hashanah literally translates to “Head of the Year”, marking the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, a ten-day period that culminates in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. 

This observance is steeped in reflection, prayer, and penitence, as individuals introspectively consider the year that has passed, and look forward to the year to come. This is not only a time to renew spiritual commitment, but also a time to strengthen relationships with family, friends, and the community. 

1. Sounding the Shofar: A distinctive part of the Rosh Hashanah tradition is blowing the shofar, a ram’s horn, a call to the faithful to repent and prepare for the new year.
2. Eating Symbolic Foods: A holiday feast typically includes sweet foods like apples dipped in honey, signifying the wish for a ‘sweet’ and prosperous new year. Other significant foods include challah bread and pomegranates.
3. Tashlikh: A ritual where individuals symbolically cast off their sins by throwing pieces of bread or another food into a body of flowing water.

However, unlike Easter, which is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Rosh Hashanah is not related to any specific historical event. Instead, it is more of a spiritual celebration and opportunity for moral reflection and rededication, making the relationship between Rosh Hashanah and Easter worlds apart, despite their shared spirit of renewal and rebirth. 

Understanding these intricacies helps to paint a clearer picture of why Easter, as it is celebrated in Christian faiths, does not find a parallel in Jewish traditions.

3. Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

You may have heard of or even experienced Yom Kippur. As a high holy day, it holds a prominent place in Jewish tradition. It’s also known as the Day of Atonement and is widely recognized as the holiest day in Judaism. 

Yom Kippur falls on the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei. It marks the end of a ten-day period of repentance and introspection, which begins with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This day is dedicated to private and communal fasting, confession of sins, and soul-searching, concluding the process of repentance that Rosh Hashanah initiates. 

But what’s actually done on Yom Kippur? As an observant Jew, you’d be expected to hold a 25-hour fast, abstaining from any form of work much like in Shabbat. However, Yom Kippur imposes additional restrictions, such as not wearing leather shoes, not bathing or washing, or applying lotions or creams, and refraining from marital relations. 

While those components may sound rigorous, it’s essential to mention that Yom Kippur isn’t about punishment, it’s about cleansing. The fasting and confession of sins are ultimately designed to purify the soul for another year. Prayer is a central part of the day, with five distinct prayer services held throughout the fasting period. 

“For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d.” (Leviticus 16:30)

This verse from the Torah gives an insight into the purpose of the day. It’s a day to seek divine forgiveness and work towards cleansing the soul. 

So how does the Jewish community celebrate this day? You’ll typically see synagogues packed with people for much of the day. Jews around the world gather to pray and fast together, supporting each other through this intense spiritual experience. It’s a day of solemn reflection, but it culminates in a sense of renewal and a fresh start. 

That said, while Yom Kippur is a crucial part of Jewish tradition, it doesn’t bear a connection to Easter. It’s distinctly a Jewish holiday focusing on forgiveness and spiritual renewal. Nonetheless, it illustrates the richness and depth of Jewish observances and traditions, highlighting the thoughtful and introspective ways in which Jewish people connect with their faith.

4. Sukkot (Feast of Booths or Tabernacles)

If you’re wondering about Jewish holidays, then Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Booths or the Feast of Tabernacles, is another significant one on the Jewish calendar. Held seven days after Yom Kippur, this festival traditionally lasts seven days and is a time of joy and thanksgiving. It’s seasonally tied to the autumn harvest and offers a moment of reflection for the Jewish people as they commemorate their ancestors’ 40 years spent in the wilderness following their liberation from slavery in Egypt. 

During this festivity, Jewish individuals erect a temporary structure known as a sukkah, to honor the dwellings their ancestors lived in while in the desert. This temporary shelter is often adorned with decorations and fruit to symbolize a bountiful harvest. It’s customary for meals to be enjoyed in the sukkah throughout the week, with family members and friends often gathering to partake in the festivities. 

Although Sukkot doesn’t have any direct correlation with Easter, it provides yet another glimpse into Jewish spiritual life and the rituals and practices that shape it. This festival, like many Jewish holidays, combines both historical remembrances with elements of gratitude and community.

5. Hanukkah (Festival of Lights)

The dazzling Hanukkah, fondly dubbed the Festival of Lights, holds a unique space in Jewish tradition. This celebration takes place for eight consecutive days and nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev, a month in the Jewish calendar. This usually correlates with late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. But let’s dig a little deeper into what makes this festival so special, shall we? 

What makes Hanukkah so well-known is the momentous custom of lighting the menorah, an important symbol embodying this observance. A menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum. Each evening of the holiday, another candle is lit by the shamash, or “helper” candle, vesting each night with a luminescent glow. 

“A candle is a small thing. But one candle can light another. And see how its light increases!” – Moshe Davis

This custom commemorates the extraordinary story of the tiny cruse of oil that miraculously burned for eight days in the rededicated Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hence, the Jewish community revels in this miracle by lighting the menorah each night, unveiling a celebration full of light in what can often be the darkest time of the year. 

Alongside the tradition of lighting candles, other Hanukkah customs are just as merry. Many families indulge in feasting on fried foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts, remembering the importance of oil in the historic event. The lively game of dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, also takes center stage during this time. 

So, while Hanukkah might not hold the steadfast religious weight of some other Jewish holidays, it envelops itself in a joyous atmosphere of light, food, games, and family. This encapsulates the heartwarming spirit of Jewish traditions and its community, even if it doesn’t directly align with the Christian celebration of Easter.

6. Purim (Festival of Lots)

Let’s dive deeper into Purim, often known as the Festival of Lots. This holiday commemorates a story told in the book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible, where the Jewish people in Persia were saved from extermination. 

Purim is a joyful and festive holiday, one that puts emphasis on unity and camaraderie amongst Jewish communities. The story behind Purim is one of intrigue, heroism, and ultimately, triumph over adversity. 

Here are some Purim traditions explained: 

• Megillah Reading: The Book of Esther, also known as the Megillah, is read twice during Purim — once in the evening and again in the morning.
• Giving to the needy (Matanot La’evyonim): It is a requirement to give to those less fortunate during Purim, reflecting the solidarity and unity which is central to this holiday.
• Sending food portions to friends (Mishloach Manot): People send gifts of food and drink, typically containing at least two different kinds of ready-to-eat foods, to their friends and family.
• Purim meal: Celebrated with a festive meal, known as the Purim Seudah, where family and friends come together to enjoy food and drinks, often accompanied by music and dancing.
• Dressing up: Purim is known for its carnival-like atmosphere. Both children and adults commonly dress up in costumes, and joyous parades can often be seen in the streets of Jewish neighborhoods.

The central message of Purim is to commemorate the survival of the Jewish people despite various attempts throughout history to destroy them. It’s a time for joy, celebration and unity within the Jewish community.

7. Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)

If you’ve been following the Jewish calendar, you’re probably wondering what’s next. Well, we’re here to answer that. Seven weeks after Passover comes Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks. It’s a significant event that marks the wheat harvest in Israel and commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. 

But how do Jewish people celebrate Shavuot, you ask? The traditions around this holiday are pretty fascinating. 

• Torah Reading: The main tradition of Shavuot is engaging in all-night study of the Torah, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot. This is to remember the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah.
• Dairy Foods: Many Jewish people eat dairy foods during Shavuot. This is related to various interpretations, one of which is symbolism of the land of Israel being described as a land ‘flowing with milk and honey’.
• Decorating With Flowers: To mirror Mount Sinai, which was believed to have bloomed with flowers when the Torah was given, synagogues and homes are decorated with beautiful flowers.

Shavuot, similar to other Jewish holidays, serves as a profound reminder of Jewish history and beliefs. It propels the Jewish community into a future that honors past traditions while continually illustrating the continuing significance of their faith.

Now, you might find yourself wondering, what’s the perspective on holidays like Easter? Don’t worry, we’re here to clarify that as well!

How do Christian and Jewish beliefs compare?

• Both Jews and Christians share a belief in the divine nature of the Old Testament, which incorporates works like Genesis, Psalms, and Daniel. They also uphold the same narratives and doctrines, including Noah’s Ark and the Ten Commandments.  However, there are significant differences between the two religious groups, and they are as follows:
• • Both Judaism and Christianity believe in the Old Testament’s sacred teachings, such as the stories of Noah’s Ark and the Ten Commandments. However, there are critical differences: While Judaism follows a single God, Christianity subscribes to the idea of the Trinity, which describes God existing in three forms – the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.Judaism prioritizes adherence to bothreligious and civil laws, viewing them as divine commandments. On the other hand, Christianity upholds moral principles from those laws but asserts that those requirements were fulfilled by Jesus.Lastly, the concept of the New Covenant reveals another distinction. Christians view Jesus as the fulfillment of this New Covenant, as prophesied in the Old Testament. Meanwhile, Jews anticipate this Covenant’s actualization in the future.
  
  

Did Jesus appear to Jewish people?

In the biblical texts, the earliest believers of Jesus as the Messiah were from the Jewish community, including figures like Matthew who authored parts of the New Testament. These individuals came to accept the Resurrection of Jesus. 

Furthermore, it’s documented that Jesus also made appearances to his disciples. They were hidden away due to fear of persecution from other Jewish individuals when Jesus came to them, declaring, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).

FAQs

1. Differentiating Jews and Christians: Christianity centers around faith in Jesus Christ, while Judaism upholds the belief in one God, discarding the doctrine of the Trinity.
2. Jewish belief in Easter: Jews, not accepting the resurrection of Jesus, do not celebrate Easter.
3. Do Jews acknowledge Easter? No, instead of Easter, Jews commemorate the Passover, also referred to as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
4. Jewish activities during Easter: Jews observe the Passover, which traditionally starts at sunset on Friday, April 22 and ends at sunset on Saturday, April 30.
5. Jews and Good Friday: For Jews, Friday marks the onset of the Passover.
6. Jewish belief in Jesus: Jews believe Jesus failed to fulfil the Messianic prophecies that outline the arrival of the Messiah.
7. Who do Jews worship? The singular deity, Yahweh, is the one God in Judaism’s monotheistic perspective.
8. Do Jews commemorate Christmas? As a non-Christian celebration, Christmas, marking the birth of Jesus, is not observed by Jews.
9. Jewish principal celebration: The most sacred day in the Jewish calendar is Yom Kippur, which emphasizes on repentance and reconciliation.

So, do Jews celebrate Easter? The answer is mainly ‘no’. Jews, not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, do not celebrate Easter. Instead, they mark important occasions like Passover, Hanukkah, Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. 

Want to learn more about Christian holidays? Check out this informative article about Easter and its variable dates. Celebrated by Christians as the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, Easter Sunday falls 40 days after Lent and is the most significant event on the Christian calendar. The date varies but typically lands on the first Sunday after the vernal equinox’s first full moon, which is generally March 21st.