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 ...
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)
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..
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
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