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A Jew says 'Merry Christmas'
TownHall.com ^ | Monday, December 20, 2004 | by Jeff Jacoby

Posted on 12/20/2004 1:29:27 AM PST by JohnHuang2

My one-year-old hasn't built up much of a vocabulary yet -- "wow" and "hey" and "oh" are about the only words he's mastered. But they were all he needed the other night as we drove through Boston's Mission Hill section, gazing at the lavish Christmas displays lighting up so many front yards. On one block we saw Santas and reindeer and a giant polar bear ("Wow!"); on the next there was a beautiful nativity scene and dazzling lights made to look like fireworks ("Hey!"). Rooftops were trimmed with icicle lights, trees pulsed with color, and streets normally bland and unremarkable were lovely in their holiday glow.

I enjoy Christmas decorations -- and Christmas music, and the upbeat Christmastime mood -- and I say that as a practicing Jew for whom Dec. 25 has no theological significance at all. I have never celebrated Christmas, but I like seeing my Christian neighbors celebrate it. I like living in a society that makes a big deal out of religious holidays. Far from feeling threatened when the sights and sounds of Christmas surround me each December, I find them reassuring. They reaffirm the importance of the Judeo-Christian culture that has made America so exceptional -- and such a safe and tolerant haven for a religious minority like mine.

Unfortunately, it isn't only nativity scenes and Santas that make an appearance every Christmas. The holiday season also heralds the annual return of Scrooge and the Grinch. Or, as they're known in Bellevue, Wash., these days, Sidney and Jennifer Stock.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christmas; jeffjacoby; merrychristmas
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To: DaveTesla

OK. Now translate. While I consider Hebrew to be one of the worlds most beautiful languages, I don't speak or read a word of it (yet)


21 posted on 12/22/2004 5:12:40 AM PST by John O (God Save America (Please))
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To: JohnHuang2
They reaffirm the importance of the Judeo-Christian culture that has made America so exceptional -- and such a safe and tolerant haven for a religious minority like mine.

nuff said!

A Jewish guy I do work for is leaving to be with his parents this weekend. Last night he called and wished me a Merry Christmas. He will be celebrating the Holidays in NY city..

22 posted on 12/22/2004 5:19:01 AM PST by The Mayor (let the wisdom of God check our thoughts before they leave our tongue)
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To: John O

Ha-ne-roat Ha-lah-lu
These candles

Ah-nach-nu mad-lee-keem
That we light

Al Ha-nissim
Are for the miracles

V'al ha-nif-lah-ot
The wonders

V'al ha-te'shu-ot
The salvation

V'al ha-mill-khah-mot
The battles

Sheh-ah-see-tah
That you fought (lit.did)

La'ah-vote-ay-nu
For our ancestors

Bah-yah-meem
In those days

Bah-zman hah-zeh
At this time (of year)

Al yeh-day co-ha-ne-kha hak-doe-shim
Through your holy kohen-priests (the Maccabees)

Veh-coal sh'mon-at yeh-may
Chanukah And all eight days of Chanukah

Ha-nay-rot ha-lah-loo ko-desh hem
These candles are holy

V'ain lah-noo reh-shoot
And we do not have permission

leh-heesh-tah-mesh ba-hem
To use them

El-ah leer-ot-am bil-vad
But just to behold them

Ke-day l'hoe-dote
In order to give thanks

Oo-l'hall-el
And to praise

Et shim-kha hah-ga-dole
To Your great name

Al nee-seh-kha
About Your great miracles

V'al nif-loa-te-kha
And Your wonders

V'al yeshu-ah-te-kha
And Your salvations


23 posted on 12/22/2004 5:22:49 AM PST by DaveTesla (You can fool some of the people some of the time......)
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To: JohnHuang2
It's okay to say Merry Christmas:

"Merry Christmas. Believe It. Say It. Wear it!"

24 posted on 12/22/2004 8:20:19 AM PST by EdReform (Free Republic - helping to keep our country a free republic. Thank you for your financial support!)
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