Why Some Jews Did Not Study Torah on Christmas Night (Nittel Nacht)

December 25 marks the Christian holiday known as Christmas. At first glance, many Jews might say: What does this have to do with us? Why should we care about their holidays?

Indeed, Jewish life and Jewish holidays follow an entirely different calendar and tradition. However, over the centuries, the date of Christmas — particularly the night associated with it, became connected with a historical custom observed by some Jewish communities, especially among Ashkenazi Jews in the Diaspora.

The History of the Calendar

In earlier times, the non-Jewish world used different calendars. Historical accounts relate that non-Jewish authorities once required Jewish scholars to help them calculate their calendars. One of the rabbis involved in explaining the system of calendars was Rabbi Yitzchak Aboab, a prominent sage of Castile.

Eventually, the non-Jewish world changed its calendar system. Not all countries adopted the change immediately. For example, Russia continued using the older calendar for many years. According to their calendar, what others considered December 25 was actually December 15.

These calendar differences contributed to confusion about the precise date of the Christian holiday.

The Night Known as “Nittel”

Among Ashkenazi communities, the night of the Christian holiday became known as “Nittel Nacht.”

Some rabbinic leaders in the Diaspora adopted a custom not to study Torah on that night, from sunset until midnight. Instead, they would occupy themselves with other activities.

Stories are told about various rabbis who followed this practice. One Hasidic rebbe would spend the evening cutting and organizing papers to prepare materials for the coming year. Another would refrain from Torah study and instead read history or other secular subjects during those hours.

It is important to note that this was never a universal Jewish practice and was followed mainly in certain Ashkenazi communities in exile.

Reasons Behind the Custom

Several explanations have been offered for this unusual custom.

Some suggested that the reason was connected to the traditional belief that the founder of Christianity was born on that date. However, historically the actual date of his birth is uncertain, and calendar changes make the connection even more questionable.

The Chatam Sofer offered a different explanation. He suggested that Jews would go to sleep earlier that night so they could wake up later and study Torah during the quiet hours after midnight. In this way they avoided the disturbances of the night while still dedicating themselves to Torah study.

The Historical Context

Another explanation relates to the reality of life for Jews in Europe.

During Christian holidays, large celebrations often took place, sometimes accompanied by heavy drinking, violence, and unrest. Jews feared leaving their homes on such nights because gatherings in the streets could become dangerous.

As a result, Jews avoided traveling to study halls or synagogues that evening and remained safely in their homes. The temporary pause in communal Torah study was therefore largely a matter of practical safety, not a spiritual principle.

Different Practices Among Jewish Communities

Sephardic communities generally did not observe this custom at all, neither in the Diaspora nor in the Land of Israel.

Even among Ashkenazi Jews who once practiced it in Europe, many discontinued the custom after moving to Israel. In a place where Jews can live freely and safely, there is no reason to refrain from Torah study.

The Jewish Response

Certainly, Torah study should not be canceled because of a non-Jewish holiday.

History reminds us that the Greeks once tried to uproot the Torah and Jewish observance, as we recall in the Chanukah story: “to make them forget Your Torah and to cause them to abandon the laws of Your will.”

Yet Hashem performed miracles for the Jewish people, and they prevailed. For that reason, many agree that the proper response is the opposite: to increase Torah study, mitzvot, and good deeds.