Last week an airport took down Christmas trees because a Rabbi wanted them to display a Menorah as well. Would it have been appropriate for the airport to display the Menorah? Would it be appropriate for a city or county to display a Menorah with their annual holiday decorations? What about a private citizen who wants to add the Menorah to their traditional holiday display? Are there special rules associated with the display of a Menorah by gentiles?
2006-12-11 03:31:05 · 14 answers · asked by writergirl 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A Menorah is much more appropriate than Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and the like. The Menorah is a reminder of the world's first victory for religious freedom. The Maccabees fought and won against the Romans.
The Temple was rededicated to G-d, and the oil lasted for 8 days, when there was enough for only 1 day. We celebrate the victory and G-d letting the oil last till more could be gotten.
Why on earth would any Christian prefer all that superficial garbage to a Menorah which Jesus also would have used as a Jew?!!! Do you really think Jesus was born among Christmas trees???? It was during the Hanukkah celebration -- there would have been Menorahs everywhere!
.
2006-12-11 03:42:25 · answer #1 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians probably wouldn't object to a Menorah. Besides, it is part of every Christian's heritage. Without Judaism, there'd be no Christianity. As far as the airport employee, they were probably told to remove the tree and not add a Menorah to the display because then only Jews and Christians would be pleased with the display. In short, a pagan, a Muslim, a Wiccan, etc. would want a representation of their own religion included in the display and, thanks to the ACLU and political correctness, everyone would have to be pleased at the same time. It's stupid, really. Why didn't they just add the Menorah and leave it at that?
2016-05-23 05:24:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both sides on this issue were wrong. First, the Rabbi was exceedingly wrong for apparently threatening to sue the airport when the airport balked at adding a menorah display. However, many courts in the US have ruled that if a publicly funded place chooses to put on a holiday display, they msut do so in a manner consistent with the community. As there is a small, but vibrant Jewish community in Seattle (where this took place), the airport authority knew that they were in the wrong in excluding the chanukah display and would lose in court, if sued. Their choice to remove the christmas display was purely motivated by money.
It's unfortunate that some public officials choose to discriminate between religious groups...especially between Jews and Christians at this time of year. Chanukah is, first and foremost about religious freedom...the same value that brought many fo the first settlers to these shores.
2006-12-11 04:20:49 · answer #3 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why it makes sense for Christians to support Menorah displays:
1. The holiday of Hanukkah is mentioned in the Christian Bible (John chapter 10); Christmas is not.
2. If not the victory of the Maccabees over the Assyrian Greeks, Judaism would have been wiped out, there would have been no Jesus 150 years later, and thus no Christianity.
Another consideration: The Prophet Jeremiah was not fond of Christmas trees (chapter 10).
2006-12-13 16:47:12 · answer #4 · answered by mo mosh 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The book of Hebrews as a whole (Written to Jewish Christians living in Jerusalem) may give you some sound Biblical principles by which to base a decision. There was much debate at the time about keeping aspects of the old Jewish faith, which Paul, a Jew, argued against in that book.
2006-12-11 03:33:50 · answer #5 · answered by raVar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At this moment in time, Christmas is the only religious national holiday. In my opinion, Christmas trees, the baby Jesus etc... should be the only allowed items displayed in public places.
2006-12-12 00:57:35 · answer #6 · answered by Steve B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, christians can display the menorah. it's not just a Jewish thing. it was in the Bible, and we follow the bible. my grandparents have one in there house, and we usually put one up next to our christmas tree/ even though we don't celebrate Hanuka( dont know how to spell it). hope i could help.
2006-12-11 03:34:45 · answer #7 · answered by i totally agree with you!! not 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I may be incorrect as I am not jewish but I believe the celebration of Hanukkah is a celebration of basically how God worked in a miraculous way. If you believe in the God of the old testaments, which as a Christian I believe is the same God of the new testament, then I wouldn't think there would be anything wrong with celebrating his miraculous works.
2006-12-11 03:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by bigjim6201 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have one, but when the "Jewish Part" of my family (Brother and Sister-in-Law and niece) come to visit, we light theirs. A menorah is a great symbol of a great miracle of God. I think that Christians could and should embrace it.
2006-12-11 03:36:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, Christians believe in the same God as the Jewish people. I think the Rabbi was right to request it.
Display it during their holiday season and then take it down.
If you display one religion you display them all to be fair.
I don't think God is going to be upset if you put one up.
2006-12-11 03:35:24 · answer #10 · answered by Pantherempress 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋