Much ado is being made out of Mike Huckabee’s, all I want to do is wish you "a Merry Christmas" TV advertisement. Huckabee's ad seems sincere. He is an ordained minister, a devout Christian, and someone who seems to be as honest as any politician. As a Jew, I really don’t find anything all that shocking or disturbing about the ad. If Mike wants to wish me a "Merry Christmas" that’s fine--it makes very little difference in my life. Come to think of it, God knows how many Jews are walking around New York right now (two weeks after Hanukkah) wishing every person they bump into "happy holidays" and "Merry Christmas." Just the other day one of my friends--and a fellow member of the tribe--waved across the street mouthing, "happy holidays." I smiled and waved back. Suffice it to say she was not referring to Passover.
I can’t help but think that those such as Huckabee, who seek out every opportunity to show off their Christian bonafides by inserting Christmas into every other sentence, have emptied Christmas of any unique religious value. What does Christmas mean when at least 10 Jews I know this year alone went to a Christmas party. None of them would ever dare think of becoming Christian. For them it's, “Hey, why not, it's just Christmas.” In their eyes Christmas does not mean or signify all that much. The more popular Christmas becomes the more secular the holiday is perceived. In America, "Merry Christmas" means nothing more than the banal “hey wuz up” or “see u later”--just with a little snow on top. So Mike, I know I’m not the first, but let me be one of the many Jews to wish you, too, a very Merry Christmas.
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
I have decided, over much torchured thought, German guilt (& pride), and lose of any faith, that I am a CatJewDaLim. People think I'm crazy, but I am trying my best to take & be the best of multiple religions/philosophies. So I am a Catholic; I am a Jew; I am a Buddhist; and I am a Muslim. My religious "name designation" may become longer as my search for TRUE FAITH goes on. My purpose is to research as many religions as I can & try to practice & become the best of each. In other words - all religions that are compassionate, loving, giving, humanitarian, and do not think of "self" are true religions. But more importantly to me, all become one (one tribe) - the One religion of all that is good.
Thank you for posting this.
From: CathJewDALim
To the Jew first. And then to the Gentile. As it is written. It's most important that Ha Shem (G-d) tabernacled with us with "The Name" of Yeshua (Jesus). "Christmas" is only a sort of remembrance of this, so it shouldn't matter who says what during December. "Christians" should be celebrating Sukkot (during which Jesus was born) and Passover (when Jesus gave His life for all), as that is what Yeshua (Jesus) not only did, but is. It doesn't matter who says "Merry Christmas" or what they do with their personal religion. What matters is what God has done for us already. Christians know that it isn't what they say or do during the winter, it is what God does. Two words are never going to effect that. Happy New Years Rabbi Stern!!! To the Jew first, then to the gentile. As it is written.
I have a difficult time understanding why anyone would insist on the public's acceptance of this religious holiday except by way of blatant disregard for others not like them. It is secular, for the most part, but the pagan and later "Christian" influence is glaring. (In quotes because I am a Christian who is a non-celebrant of this and other organized Christian holidays and they feel entirely anti-Christian to me.) Just the coupling of the words, "Christ" and "mass" is saddening.
Certainly, true Christians, like the Jewish People have always been separate from mainstream thought and practice. This forcing of religion from the state is certainly nothing new...Judas Maccabaeus and many others, taught us, "It's not ok." And though it is the world in which we live, I'll continue to resist the temptation to fall in step.
tough get a grip on life & call your mommie if the big bad religious bullies wish you a happy holiday. There are worse things to worry about in life.
No Name:
Actually, it is not others wishing a happy holiday that is an issue. As I said, we are used to being separate. It is the mixture with state affairs and the idea of thinking one's participation, no matter how minimal, is insignificant that I meant to respectfully address.