We have a dear friend who is jewish and we don't know if it would be inappropriate with the upcoming holidays to 'wish' or what else that may be in order, to convey our sincere thoughts to him.
Can you please help ?
Regards to all
2007-09-09 05:51:23 · 17 answers · asked by SonoSolo 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm Jewish and I can assure you that whatever you say your friend will be really touched at your kindness.
If you would like to attempt a tiny bit of Hebrew, wish your friend 'Happy Rosh Hashannah' - this means happy new year!
But you can just wish your friend a happy new year in English and they will understand and appreciate.
I think it's very sweet of you to ask this question - have a star!
EDIT: the week after next, is the Jewish Day Of Atonement, Yom Kippur, when we fast. So you can tell your Jewish friends: 'I wish you well over the fast' and they will be thrilled and very touched!
EDIT TO SURBIRD
Sorry, but you are not Jewish. Messianic Jews are Christians. No Jew believes that Jesus was the messiah.
2007-09-09 05:55:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. Just like most Christians wouldn't be offended if their Jewish friends wished them a Merry Christmas. Jews in non-Jewish countries might even appreciate it more, since most people don't recognize their holidays, so it's a bigger deal when someone does. I wished a Chinese friend of mine a Happy Chinese New Year once, and she got really happy.
2007-09-09 06:01:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's appropriate to say something like that to people of other religions. I'm Jewish and I've said "Merry Christmas" to tons of people.
If you want to give the proper greeting, it's "Hog Somaok." That means "Happy Holiday" and it's used for all holidays.
2007-09-09 06:10:32 · answer #3 · answered by x 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, of course not. It's as proper as a Jewish person wishing you a merry Christmas.
What you can tell your friend is that you wish him a happy new year, with lots of blessings. Or the traditional Hebrew greeting "Shana Tovah" ("Good year")
2007-09-09 15:43:38 · answer #4 · answered by Lovemybabies 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead.
If you want, you can even say it in Hebrew.
General holiday greeting: Chag Sameach (Khog Suh-may-akh)
Upcoming holidays:
Rosh Hashana: Shana Tova (Good year), Shana Tova U'mituka (Good and sweet year).
Yom Kippur: Gamar Khatima Tova (May you be inscribed [in the Book of Life] for good).
2007-09-09 10:17:59 · answer #5 · answered by Melanie Mue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The upcoming Holy days differ from the holidays for the rabbinic Jew. In fact, while your friend may not be aware and this may upset him, because he is not aware, it is at these particular holidays that Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah is supposed to come (for those of us who believe, He is coming yet again--I am a rabbinic Jew who believes in Yeshua as the Messiah who came once and is coming again). These are the days when the trump is to blow.
The proper saying to this person would be Shanah Tovah ( Pronounce Shanah like Sha Na Na, the oldies rock group and Toe-vah)--a Good Year--or Chag Semeach ( Kag Se-may-ach), meaning "Happy or Healthy Holiday."
2007-09-09 06:01:32 · answer #6 · answered by sirburd 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, not at all. If you want to really get extra points, learn the appropriate Hebrew greetings for the holidays.
Religious holidays: Hag sameach
Sabbath (saturday): Shabbat shalom
Special occasions (birthdays etc): Mazel tov
2007-09-09 05:53:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
This is fine and a nice thing to do for every holiday except for Yom Kippur you should say Hatima Tova - or good signature - this is when they fast as an atonement for their sins.
2007-09-09 05:59:10 · answer #8 · answered by Chris C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not at all! They will be very appreciative.
Jews are so inundated with Christmas wishes it will be a welcome relief for them to know that a Christian not only remembers they are Jewish, but also bothers to acknowledge it.
They will be even more appreciative if you actually understand something about the holiday.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday3.htm
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm
http://www.jewfaq.org/toc.htm
Great question BTW. Thank you!
.
2007-09-09 10:27:41 · answer #9 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is by no means inappropriate. It shows that you are paying attention to their lives and their religion.
Maybe "Blessed" holidays would be appropriate as well
2007-09-09 05:58:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋