Monday, December 24, 2007

The Meaning of "Nitel Nacht"


Rembember this discussion at A Simple Jew from last year's "Nital Nacht" Eve? Still interesting...

-Dixie Yid

(Picture of the latest Lubavitcher Rebbe, zt'l playing Chess with the Freidiker Rebbe, zt'l on Nitel Nacht courtesy of Hashkafa.com)

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7 comments:

  1. I had this discussion with my Chabad
    friends years ago. To alter anything we do on Dec 25th, to even designate a name for it, provides our acknowledgement of it, regardless of the insults we apply to it. To alter our religious practices only serves to allow that religion domination over Judaism. I assume it's even possible to consider this an avoda zara!

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  2. "Blogger Schvach said...

    I had this discussion with my Chabad
    friends years ago. To alter anything we do on Dec 25th, to even designate a name for it, provides our acknowledgement of it, regardless of the insults we apply to it. To alter our religious practices only serves to allow that religion domination over Judaism. I assume it's even possible to consider this an avoda zara!"

    I believe your words could be equally applied to the injunction found in the first mishnah of Avodah Zarah.

    There is a difference between reaction to a celebration, which is impossible to avoid, and observing it.

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  3. Shvach & Yirmiyahu,

    I hear what you're both saying. I'm not one to judge either way.

    Wouldn't being ma'aleh rok when one passes a beis avoda zara also be changing our actions because of the avoda zara?

    -Dixie Yid

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  4. Oh Yeah!
    Thanks for reminding me of that conversation:
    http://asimplejew.blogspot.com/2006/12/why-do-i-have-to-start-now.html#c116714354030087303

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  5. Chabakuk Elisha,

    Oh yes, I remember reading this comment of yours last year. Thanks for your great research!

    -Dixie Yid

    ReplyDelete
  6. Did you see this one:

    http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2007/12/nittel-nacht-christmas-eve.html

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  7. I had this discussion with my Chabad
    friends years ago. To alter anything we do on Dec 25th, to even designate a name for it, provides our acknowledgement of it, regardless of the insults we apply to it. To alter our religious practices only serves to allow that religion domination over Judaism. I assume it's even possible to consider this an avoda zara!


    You assume it’s possible to consider a practice followed and encouraged by the 6th and 7th Lubavitcher Rebbeim an avoida zara? That’s an interesting assumption.

    ReplyDelete