Question for Torah-observant Jews...?

Question

If you're not, please don't waste our time. Nothing personal - it's just a Jewish question is all. I can't help but notice that the missionaries on here address questions to Jews, and when they receive an overwhelming number of Jewish replies (most of them decent, some of them excellent - mine always are), they go and select one of the answers that bears no connection to Judaism, written by a fellow evangelist who's basically saying "amen, brother!"

Okay, so my question is, what do you think of this?: I'm Jewish, and visibly so. ...on account of my kipah. Yeah, so anyone who can identify a yarmulke will know I'm Jewish the first time they see me. Still, many will wish me a Merry X-Mas. I'm not bothered by it (clueless goodwill beats "educated" hatred), but sometimes I want to come back with "Io, Saturnalia!" as a joke. Should I be worried about avodah zara issues, even though no one today worships Saturn? I figure "Merry Christmas" is technically more problematic. No?

They don't all say "Merry Christmas." Some wish me a happy Chanukah. Granted, they do so 2-4 weeks after Chanukah has ended, but still, I guess it's the thought that counts?

Please note: I didn't say people wishing Merry Christmas to Jews were being mean - in fact, I said the exact opposite.

Also please note: My question was directed to Jews, to whom it is relevant. If you're not Jewish, your only chance of getting picked is if you provide an insightful answer. Ignoring the question entirely will not cut it, and my time is wasted by having read it. So, thanks for wasting my time.

Note to "David" Duke Fenton: Screw you for telling me who I can and can't address questions to. If someone has a question about how to fix their toilet, do you accuse them of having an "attitude problem" for addressing the question to plumbers? If I have a question that is relevant to a subset of the Y!A "community," be it a certain religion, gender, age group, or professio, it makes sense to address it to that group.

If you're not Jewish, but still feel you have a meaningful answer to contribute, that's great. Obviously, you do not, and only answered in order to insult me. Go find a hobby. (Something other than this.)

Of course I meant "profession." Shame you can't edit these "additional details".

Answer 1

I'm Jewish and frankly, I feel you're over thinking this. It is, as you already know, a sin in our religion to embarrass another person. Thus if someone wishes you 'merry xmas' hold your tongue, give them a big smile, and be gracious.

Because if that's the worst thing a non Jew ever says to you, you are incredibly lucky.

You don't have to say 'merry xmas' back, you can just wish them well, or wish them 'happy holidays'. There are so many thing to say - there is NO excuse for being anything other than gracious and polite.

Sorry if that sounds blunt; it's just my honest opinion.

Answer 2

When I see those questions you mention, I take time to read the question and read the answers. Most of the time by reading only the thumbs up or down you can tell where the "best answer" is going. These select Christians believe that is their duty to save us fellow Jews from ourselves. If Christ were in our life we would be saved. I on the other hand am proud of my religion and my heritage. I do not wear a kipah. I do not look "Jewish". But I am and always will be. I think everyone should have the right to be what they want to be. I wish that everyone would let people practice what they want, how they want, where they want, and when they want. God has nothing to do with religion. God is inside you and me. If religion is involved it is because you want it to be.

Answer 3

Hi, I am Jewish, and do not "look like" what people would percieve as Jewish. So, with that in mind, many people wish me merry christmas, happy easter you name it...I have learned the best and most proper reply is simply "Happy Holidays." That response is not deragatory, and is shows that you respect another religion, and yet you are saying that it is not what you practice.
You seem to forget that although you look like what the American Jewish world has put out as the percieved look for observant Jews, there are many who do not know what you are about. With some patience and with forums like this...there will be more acceptance and even more knowlegeable responses

Answer 4

Hmm, interesting question. I'd have to ask my LOR to be sure, but I'm guessing that since you're merely wishing them a happy holiday season, and not actually advocating another religion or performing avodah zara yourself, that it would be OK. There was a similar discussion here about 8 months ago concerning going inside a church, but there the situation is different.

Answer 5

Being of Jewish heritage I don't really give a bleep about Christmas or Hanukkah...I keep it generic and say HAPPY HOLIDAYS or SEASONS GREETINGS! What I do care about is that evangelist trying to tell us Jews what to believe or even worse telling other Jews that we believe their message.

Let's face it...I'd be depressed if my Messiah was already here and gone and all I could do was wait for him/her/it to come back. The Jewish outlook that Messiah has yet to come is far more uplifitng than that Jesus fellow who failed so miserably (of course Christians are blind to the fact he only met 15% of the criteria laid out in the OT to be Messiah). PEACE!

Answer 6

I'm not Jewish, but dont always think people say Merry Christmas to be mean- I'm a cashier at a grocery store and have never seen a Jew in there before. Well one day we were super busy and this female had a 200 dollar order, so my head was done while her husband came over. When I was done I said 'Merry Christmas..... oops' because then i picked my head up... i felt bad. But it was an accident. Then I said 'Happy belated Hanukkah' and they laughed.

Answer 7

Have you considered moving to a place where you aren't in the minority? Aside from Israel (the best choice) there are places where a Jewish presence is strongly felt.

I also strongly suggest that you do not mention the name of any of the gods, even if they are no longer worshipped.

Answer 8

I had to think about this one a bit.

Usually, I just say "Merry Christmas" back and don't give it a second thought. It's no different than a christian saying "Have a nice day" when it's Shabbat. They are just being polite.

Answer 9

Sounds to me like you have an attitude problem. First you come to a place with literally millions of people, and try to dictate that only a small minority of them are 'allowed' to reply. That isn't for you to decide or control; if you only want to talk to Jews, go to a Synagogue. In a real sense you're 'wasting our time' a lot more than anyone is 'wasting your time.' I note that you claim your answers are 'always excellent' - a little vanity there, perhaps? I will remind you that Jews, like Christians, are supposed to show a reasonable degree of humility; and that includes accepting any civil response, not just from your 'own' people.

Second, you seem to have a problem with people wishing you 'Merry Christmas.' Perhaps you weren't aware that to many people it's partly or largely a secular holiday; in that sense it's a general greeting for anyone at this time of year. While the idea of celebrating the birth of Christ might not mean much to you, I would have hoped that the more general idea of universal goodwill and holiday cheer might have some appeal. The proper reply is a simple 'thank you,' or wish them 'Merry Christmas' in return, or really any civil greeting is acceptable. (I'd actually get a kick out of Io Saturnalia, but not everyone took Latin.) Getting bent out of shape is not, unless they're clearly trying to push their faith on you.

Answer 10

I usually respond in one of two ways:

If I'm not in a particularly good mood I'll respond with "right back at'cha"

Otherwise, and usually the case, I'll respond with something like, "Thank you and to you too" or "Thank you and the best to you and your family"