The Rabbi's Study: Recent Comments

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Cletis — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:19:28 GMT

Ben, I thought you probably had a great sense of self & I was right. The "Merry Christmas, Rabbi" crack is a riot. May the god of all things bless you...

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Scott Levine — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:36:24 GMT

One other little thing:

What's so wrong with "Happy Holidays?" If I understand, wasn't it originally a way to say, "Have a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" with about 7 fewer words? And why would I object to someone wishing me happiness for any non-morally reprehensible reason?

I worry more about the folks who don't wish me happiness. :-)

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Yocheved Samson PhD — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:19:32 GMT

Hello all,
Yes Rabbi, I especially agree about the 17% of us in this country who are not Christian and do not celebrate Christmas! Why make others unhappy? I much rather go around downtown with people who have a and do not celebrate Christmas! Why make others unhappy? I much rather go around downtown with people who have a bounce in their step than someone holding an AK-47 and wor and worse yet, pointing it at me!
Oh, about those people with the AK-47… (okay, here comes the professor in me )
No, I am not going to tell you how guns don’t kill people-people do or it’s all drugs.
What I’m going to spout forth is that it’s not the depressed economy or lack of money that causes people to become violent… it’s lack of Values!
Think about it a moment. I do not believe in killing things IE, I value life. Therefore, I would not kill a bug let alone a person!(however I am adamantly pro-choice. Ask me how I get out of that one !) Back to the subject… Rabbi, do Jews, Christians and everyone else (without an AK-47) have the same values?

Yes, I too put a pm copyright 2010 on everything.

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Scott Levine — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:13:40 GMT

Recently, I returned from a trip from Bhutan - a small Buddhist country in the Himalayas.

Toward the end of the trip, they asked what I do during Christmas, and told them that I usually get together with Jewish friends for Chinese food and a movie - because those tended to be the only places that were open on Christmas. (Yes, they already knew that I was Jewish by that time.)

They responded that most people in Bhutan still celebrate Christmas. No, they don't believe that Jesus Christ has any religious significance. But they'll use it as an excuse to take the day off with their families or party with their friends.

Maybe this proves the Rabbi's point?

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Willaine St.Pierre Sandy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:54:14 GMT

Thanks for the story, it was uplifting!
Willaine

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Willaine St.Pierre Sandy — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:40:04 GMT

Rabbi: I agree with your doctrine. The more active I become in my Jewish life and surround myself with Jewish people living Jewish lives-the less threatened I feel around non-Jews. My mom used to say that as long as I know who I am and understand my beliefs than I can stand up against attacks on my faith. She was a firm believer in establishing a strong home foundation. I only pray that I could do such a good job with my kids.
Its interesting that the more you debate with non Jews about why you don't celebrate Christmas or believe in Jesus...the more they try to take you out to lunch and "talk" to you. They never stop calling!

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Marv Hershenson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:45:26 GMT

Ben: I just read your blog and could not agree with you more. Individuals who struggle with our faith get bent out of shape with holiday salutations from Christians, even when these individuals tout support for Israel. Now, I do sometimes get a bit uncomfortable if I sense that their motives are not pure or they have a hidden agenda. I recognize that my faith is deeply rooted and no one can alter that.

Comment on Merry Christmas, Rabbi!

Jack Kamen — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:15:01 GMT

Anent: 'Merry Christmas Rabbi'
Many years ago, my dad was hospitilized
in the Catholic hospital where I worked. Shortly after his admission I was called by a nun-supervisor who asked if he would want the crucifix statuette removed from the wall above his bed.
A language barrier precluded her asking him directly.
When I asked him, his reply was "What does this statue mean to you?"
I answered,"Well, really nothing."
"So am I different?" he responded. "This is not my home. Leave it be."
And so it was.
Jack Kamen

Comment on Penn State Fumbles the Ball

shoshana — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:54:28 GMT

The "good old boys network" still strong at universities. Humans are fearful and others suffer for that. I suspect those in power did not want to tarnish the name of the university and hoped by chastising Sandusky he would stop. People don't "get" abuse and hope they can wish it away. Onlookers to so many abuses -- both individual and group continue today as we look away.

Still wonder what happened to the prosecutor who was declared dead recently who did know about one incident since he heard the admission by Sandusky in conversation with a mother of one victim.

Comment on My Rabbinic Self: Changing Over the Years

Jack Kamen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:33:47 GMT

Sorry. Wrong article.
The op-ed piece I had in mind was: Op-Ed Columnist: Let's All Feel Superior
By DAVID BROOKS
The general reaction to the Penn State atrocity has been self-righteous and dishonest. We should all take a look at our propensity to self-deceive.
Jack Kamen