Newspaper Page Text
—
Howto
explain sj~
Christmas
bj Ben Walker
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FOR THE YOUNGER
CHILD: As parents, let him know
why you make such a fuss over his
birthday; because his life brings
happiness to you, you want to
celebrate its beginning. Christians
remember the Anniversary of
Jesus’ birth with a happy
Christmas celebration. Many
Christian families celebrate his
birthday; Jewish families do not.
During December Jewish families
celebrate another holiday —
Hanuka. Proceed to explain the
story of Hanuka. This explanation
is simple, non-theological,
personal, and pragmatic.
FOR THE OLDER CHILD:
Jesus (Hebrew name, Joshua) was
bom and died a Jew. He did not
start a new religion. The Romans
considered him subversive and put
him to death. They called Jesus’
followers Christians because of
their loyalty and belief in him.
They regarded him as the son of
God, who would bring salvation to
the world. Indeed, the Roman
oppression in Palestine was the
cruelest in history. Christians
believe that Jesus was bom of a
woman and God's Holy Spirit, be
died, and was resurrected.
Through his death, Christians
' claim that he brought redemption
to the world.
THE JEWISH ATTITUDE:
God in the form of a man
incompatible with the Jewish
tradition. The second command--
ment is very specific. Therefore,
Jews cannot participate in the
celebration of the most important
holiday of Christians.
WHAT ABOUT JESUS*
ETHICAL TEACHINGS OF
PEACE, AND GOODWILL
TOWARD MAN? Jesus did not
originate the ethical ideas. No
doubt our Torah, Prophets, and
oral teachings influenced him.
Judaism incorporated ethical ideas
into its way of life in the form of
Mitzvot, which we are com
manded to do all year long.
Christians and Jews draw their
ethical values from the same
source. But Jews, who do not
accept Jesus as the son of God, do
not celebrate his birthday.
ISN’T CHRISTMAS A
NATIONAL HOLIDAY? The
Constitution separates Church
and State. But, since the U.S. is
friendly to religion, some religious
holidays are considered “days off”
or “vacations." This gives the
majority of the population an
opportunity to observe the
holiday. In Israel all religious
holidays are also State holidays.
WHY CHRISTMAS
SHOULD BE EXPLAINED: It is
better to teach our children about
the environment that surrounds
them rather than ignore g. Most of
all, we need to foster anattitude of
tolerance and respect tor other
religions and a love and feeling of
pride for our own. The Religious
School does not cover it all. We
need you—the parents—to help
us. As the good book says: “You
shall teach them faithfully to your
children; speak of them in your
home and on your way."
Ben Walker Is director of
education-mf-Veneple *»*.**■&_
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