What’s this nonsense about people saying “Happy Holidays” to me just because Hanukkah happens to be coming up in the same month as Christmas? Is it because some politically correct, first amendment suppressing fascist came along and decided I should be offended as a Jew when someone wishes me a “Merry Christmas” just because there happens to be a Jewish holiday coming up? What if I told you that I’m not offended when wished a “Merry Christmas?” What if I told you that I don’t care if you do or do not know about a Jewish holiday which I will start thinking about only hours, perhaps even minutes, before carrying out its traditions?
Here’s the problem with what the PC Police have done: they’ve made Hanukkah out to be something it’s not. Today, if you were to follow what’s talked about in the fiction and non-fiction media, it would almost seem as though Hanukkah is the Jew’s “answer” to Christmas and to some, the single most, if not, the only holiday on the Jewish Calendar. First and foremost, Hanukkah is a MINOR holiday and the only reason most people (even Jews) know more about it than any other Jewish Holiday, is because of its proximity to Christmas which by comparison, is a much more important holiday to Christians than Hanukkah is to Jews.
Hanukkah commemorates a Jewish Revolt against the Syrians 2200 years ago which culminated in the rebuilding and re-dedication of the second Temple in Jerusalem. It was, before the PC Police got ahold of it, celebrated by merely lighting candles, singing a few songs, and playing a gambling game called dradle which signifies the fact that Judaism was outlawed up to the time of the Maccabean Revolt and when Jews were worshipping together, they’d pretend to be gambling when the authorities walked by so they wouldn’t draw suspicion. A happy occasion though the rebuilding of the second temple might’ve been, it’s nothing compared to G-d’s miraculous delivery of the Nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt (commemorated by Passover) or the day in which we atone for our sins (Yom Kippur). There are others, but you get the idea.
Prior to the most recent 4 to 5 decades, The closest thing to a “gift” during the celebration of Hanukkah was a piece of candy or a very small amount of coined money, either of which was used as “tokens” when playing the dradle game. Ah, but a handful of “secular” which is another word for “uncommitted” Jews, decided that they needed an “alternative to Christmas” so they decided to start giving larger gifts to their children than just the traditional gambling candy or coins. If we know anything about children, occasions involving gifts can be among the most significant and anticipated events in their childhoods. Thus the gift giving magnified, rather inaccurately, the spirit and importance of the holiday to an entire generation of Jewish Children and perhaps outside observers. One could say that this gift giving is the same way that Christmas became more important to Secular Christians than the Holiday of Easter which from the theological viewpoint, is much more significant. Nonetheless, these children with their misled sense of importance in the Hanukkah Festival, grew up in the 1960s, and like the many extreme leftist libtards of their generation, later became a part of the politically correct movement that strangles our culture today. Once again, I am reminded to say “thanks a pant-load” to the baby boomers!
On the other hand, I’m sure that no retailer, on the day after Thanksgiving, would object to the extra Jewish shoppers going into massive credit card debt to buy gifts. But like many Jews even despite the baby boomer’s misinterpretation of Hanukkah and perhaps the entire Jewish Religion, you won’t see me waiting outside the mall at 4 in the morning. I’m just not interested in trampling bystanders to death as I rush for the advertised insanely low priced electronic items that the store didn’t bother to stock anyway. Thanks but no thanks.
Also, thanks but no thanks for greetings of “Happy Holidays” though I’m sure such greetings are well intended and happily delivered. Saying “Happy Holidays”, as I hope I’ve outlined here, is implying that Hanukkah is important enough for non-Jews to care about when in reality, were it not for Christmas, most secular Jews wouldn’t even know about Hanukkah in the first place! So keep this “happy holidays” nonsense to yourself and stop encouraging those trying to destroy and secularize my religion with the filthy spirit of materialism that has previously engulfed and possibly ruined, the spirit and meaning of Christmas.
I will be delighted when I hear “Merry Christmas” again because that my friends, is what is really happening this season and that is the real reason behind all the lights, the decorations, the massive debt, the chaotic retail sales, the obnoxious music, and the damned good traditional cocktails that accompany this time of year. None of this has anything to do with and G-d willing, will ever have anything to do with any Jewish Holiday nor should it.
Consider this your permission, from a minority supposedly “victimized” by your enjoyment of Christmas, to flip the proverbial bird to the PC Police once and for all. Celebrate who you are, what you believe, and don’t worry about what others may think of you. If you feel the need, wish anybody and everybody a “Merry Christmas.” Know that I wish the same for you.
How terrible to happen to such a beautiful woman! It is soo sad....