Posted on 12/03/2010 3:04:32 PM PST by bsaunders
On the web site About.com, a reformed Rabbi answers a question regarding what the "right" thing to do is when wished "Merry Christmas."
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
ping
Jesus Christ was a Jew. When we honor Him, I believe we also honor his Judaism. As a Catholic, I accept that we are so intertwined with Judaism that to deny it would be to deny Jesus Christ.
As a theist, I can only say there is only one reason for celebrating Christmas in my book. It offends muslims..
I thought a reformed rabbi was a guy who had a drinking problem :-)
It’s hard to be a Jew on Christmas.
My friends won’t let me join in any games.
And I can’t sing Christmas songs or decorate a Christmas tree
Or leave water out for Rudolph ‘cuz there’s something wrong with me.
My people don’t believe in Jesus Christ’s divinity!
I’m a Jew,
A lonely Jew
On Christmas.
Hanukkah is nice,
But why is it
That Santa passes over my house every year?
And instead of eating ham I have to eat kosher latkes;
Instead of Silent Night I’m singing Hoo Hact Toh Gaveesh;
And what the .... is up with lighting all these ....ing candles tell me please?
I’m a Jew,
A lonely Jew
I can’t be merry
‘Cuz I’m Hebrew
On Christmas.
- Kyle Broflofski
I’ve lived in or near a midsize southern city with a fair population of Jewish citizens dating to the nineteenth century or even before, for over two decades. The downtown decorations honor both, Festival of Lights, Christmas. The Hadassah ladies raise funds for their temple by setting up giftwrap kiosks in the shopping malls. It’s a nonissue with anyone religious. The secular are another matter.
Years ago in college, I was in charge of getting somebody to speak at the Sunrise Service on Easter for the students who were to be on campus.
I had no clue when I asked her to do it that Sandy Stevens was Jewish... and she didn't tell me when she agreed to do it. All went well.
LOL.......as a Christian I find that comment funny.....
Just say thank you. Water off a duck’s back.
Indeed. If I lived in Haifa or someplace where I were surrounded by Jews, I'd probably groove on them celebrating their Hanukkah. If I were extended an invitation, I might mention that I am Christian to make sure that it isn't some kind of problem for them in particular, and accept. Variety is interesting. What's wrong with that?
Jesus (Yeshua) was and is a Jew. I don’t go in for the replacement theology that has dominated the church for a long time. I can’t read the Bible and deduct that Israel and the Jews weren’t and aren’t figuring into God’s plan in a big way.
Isn't it always?
Most of the time I return the comment in the spirit of brotherood. Then again, I performed in Handel’s Messiah back when I was a treble.
One antisemite did say it to me once just to piss me off. It worked. I gave a less than polite answer that amounted to “If you don’t like Jews, why are you praying to one, and celebrating his birthday on the wrong date?”
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Now that is a big girl or a Hungry Heifer you make the call on this one. But I wouldn’t want to wrestle her for foood.
I like to see God expressed in America so I wish people Merry Christmas rather than Happy Holidays. I’m Jewish. Christmas can get pretty secular and money/gift oriented but God and Christ will always be the larger part.
On a practical level Christmas with all its lights and good cheer is designed to get you over the dark days of winter. So is Hanukkah.
Somehow I don’t think these two perspectives are different RELIGIOUS perspectives as much as they are different political perspectives.
Not being Jewish, I can’t speak with authority on these opinions. But it would seem to me that Reform Judaism is very often practised by political liberals. Political liberals of whatever religious bent, seem to have a problem with religiousity of any sort - particularly in a public forum.
On the other hand, surveys I have read, seem to imply that more Orthodox and Conservative Jews are political conservatives and political conservatives have no problem with religion.
Personally, I think that America needs as much “God” and religion as possible right now and always, regardless of the source. I have no problem with Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. They all basically have the same sponsor.
Merry CHristmas and Happy Hannuka.
If I know somebody is Jewish, I wish them Happy Hanukka and wish Christians Merry Christmas.
Now Islam is ANOTHER STORY.
I love being Hebrew ALL the time! Why should Christmas be any different? And why in the world would I not accept that a good person would wish me a Merry Christmas regardless? It’s just stupid. And it is sad that we are even discussing this.
I wear two Stars of David around my neck and around Christmastime, when I pass through a checkout line and hear the employees wishing people “Happy Holidays,” I make it a point to respond with “Merry Christmas.” It is inevitably met with a huge smile which is a happy thing to see. Why stifle it?
Usually by then, Chanukah is over and I have had my time. Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward Men is a wonderful thing. I await the Messiah. IF He has come and I do not know it, He will come again. If He has not come, we will ALL know when He does. So I have nothing to apologize for or dis anyone for. Religion is in the eye of the beholder. FAITH is something that resides within. I have faith. I believe in One G-d. No one can ask more of me...nor I of them.
So Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas because that is what it is!
By the way, I don’t think miracles is “minor.” Deform rabies get on my last nerve.
"Deform rabies": LOL!!!
The main reason I agree with you is because the majority of them brainwash their congregants into a leftist mind set that jeopardizes the survival of all of Western civilization, including Israel and Jewish people and culture around the world.
If it bothers you a bit that's a good thing. Your neshama is reminding you who you are and where you live.....in the diaspora. Either get use to it or go to the land which HaShem gave to you.
B'H
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