Cimorene

public and private religious ceremonies are quite different because of the number of people involved and how well you know them, so a ceremony that takes place at home around your own dinner table like the channukah candles or the passover seder has a very family feeling, even though it of course symbolically affirms the connection with all other jews throughout history. so in a way it doesn't necessarily have the same creepiness, i feel. it's hard to feel uncomfortable (at least in that way) with your own family. even though it's still all about performing, it doesn't feel as performative with that audience (also generally much smaller than at a church-type of public ceremony). (although if i witness another family do one with genuine religious feeling i might still find it creepy, but that's likely because i'm an outsider and don't share it.)