Israelis, the majority of whom are Jewish, do not celebrate Christmas because it is not part of the Jewish faith, culture, or national holiday calendar, as the state was established around Jewish, not Christian, tradition. For most Jewish Israelis, December 25 is an ordinary workday, as the nation observes its own religious holidays like Hanukkah.
Since only 2.5% of the country's population are Christians and Christmas is not one of Israel's holidays, Christmas is not a common holiday in Israel, this is due to the fact that the country was set up around Judaism, not Christianity.
Also, there are some intermarried families with a Jewish parent who embrace Christmas. Although, by and large, Jewish people do not celebrate or embrace the Christmas holiday. It is considered taboo, much like the person of Jesus himself.
Why is Christmas not an official holiday in Israel?
Jews do not celebrate Christmas because it is a Christian religious holiday centered around the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Messiah—concepts that are not part of Jewish theology.
Are Christians allowed to celebrate Christmas in Israel?
There are Christmas services and activities in the Christian Churches in Israel. The most famous of these might be the carol concerts and services held at the Dormition Abbey (which is a Benedictine Monastery) in the Church of Zion, on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
Elon Gold: Why The Jews Are Better Off Without Xmas Trees
Can Jews say "merry Christmas"?
There is nothing wrong with wishing a non-Jewish neighbors “Merry Christmas,” just as it would not be a betrayal for them to wish you “Shabbat Shalom” when leaving work on Friday afternoon.
Many Jews view Christians as having quite an ambivalent view of the Torah and the laws contained in it: on one hand, Christians speak of it as God's absolute word, but on the other, they apply its commandments with a certain selectivity.
Judaism does not accept Jesus as a divine being, an intermediary between humans and God, a messiah, or holy. Belief in the Trinity is also held to be incompatible with Judaism, as are a number of other tenets of Christianity.
Islam does not celebrate Christmas because it does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, but that he was not the Messiah that the Bible prophesied would come. Others celebrate the material and traditional aspects....
For Jews, the 25th of December may fall on the Jewish 8-day festival that is known as Hanukkah. The dates do change slightly because Hanukkah is celebrated according to the Hebrew calendar on the 25th of Kislev. This does not always fall on the same day in the Gregorian calendar.
In an (attempted) answer to the question of Why is Christmas on December 25th? from the perspective of Messianic Judaism, it was stated that Messianic Jews believe that Jesus (Yehu'shua HaMashiach) was born on the 15th of Tishri (falling in late September or early October in the Western calendar).
Well, that answer can vary from person to person. Some Jewish people are also Christian, or have Christian relatives, so they still unwrap presents, make gingerbread houses and more. Other Jews don't unwrap gifts at all, and they simply treat Christmas like any other day of the year.
Go to a Matzah Ball. In some cities, Jewish singles organizations sponsor "Matzah Balls," Jewish singles dances named after the popular chicken soup dumpling, on Christmas Eve or Christmas night.
These countries don't celebrate Christmas: Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Cambodia, China (excepting Hong Kong and Macao), Comoros, Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Laos, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Qatar, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, ...
What does the Quran say about celebrating Christmas?
Celebrating or wishing Christmas is HARAM in islam {Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:72)}: "They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary." {Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:3)}: "He (Allah) did not give birth nor was He born." {Surah An-Nisa (4:171)}: States Jesus was a messenger, not divine.
Why aren't Muslims allowed to say "Merry Christmas"?
Congratulating disbelievers on Christmas or any religious holiday is forbidden (Majmü' al-Fatawa 3/45). Imitating non-Muslims in celebrations, gifts, sweets, or time off is haram, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Fataawa Ibn Uthaymeen 3/44)
As Muslims, we follow prophetic traditions – Sunnah and the Quran, which don't mention celebrating birthdays, including that of Jesus or our beloved Prophet Muhammad. For Muslims, true honor lies in following a prophet's teachings, not commemorating specific dates of birth.
Therefore, in Romans 10:1, Paul says his “heart's desire and . . . prayer to God” for the Jewish people is that they might be saved. Jewish people worship the same God but in an incomplete way. They still need to know Jesus and experience forgiveness by believing in Him.
In our passage, Jesus addresses the Jews who had believed in him, saying: "If you remain in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
But, for the most part, according to Jewish tradition, non-jews do partake in the afterlife, subject to some criteria. God only knows exactly what that is. But conceptually, yes, Christians and Muslims have access to the afterlife in theory, just as Jews also have access in theory.
There are many common aspects between Islam and Judaism. As Islam developed it gradually became the major religion closest to Judaism, both of them being strictly monotheist religious traditions originating in a Semitic Middle Eastern culture.
In the 20th century, Jews and Christians moved toward mutual understanding. Although many Christians continued to hold irrational and hostile attitudes toward Jews, some liberal Christian voices were raised against antisemitism in the early decades of the century.
