poppers@aecom.UUCP (Michael Poppers) (11/14/84)
Dear Joe:
There's been enough flack on the net about Halloween -- I agree 100%
that it's time for a poll, because most readers don't see any point in getting
involved (i.e., repeating what's already been hashed and re-hashed) in the
discussion, and that includes me, a new reader of the [sub]group.
1) Like many others, I was brought up with the understanding that
Halloween had pagan underpinnings, and that it was later fused into the
Christian calendar of events. I wouldn't participate in it any more than I
would get involved in Easter (handing out egg-shaped chocolate, e.g.), and I
certainly wouldn't celebrate it.
2) Thanksgiving is as harmless in my eyes as (celebrating someone's
English(Julian/Augustan)-calendar birthday or) wishing my father a Happy
Father's Day, because every day should be Father's/Mother's/etc. Day in our
eyes. Similarly, we should give thanks to G-d for keeping us alive, together
with all the other miracles that are part of daily life (as stated so elo-
quently in the "Modim" of Shemoneh Esrai). But I must add that turning
Thanksgiving into Turkey Day makes the discussion into a whole new ballgame.
Call this a vote for Thanksgiving, all in all.
3) We have Pesach turned into Easter, the candy-giving of Simchas
Torah is transferred to Halloween, and Augustus decided that January should
begin the year -- is that a cause for Jewish celebration?? Our Rosh Hashanah
commemorates the date of man's creation, according to the opinion in the
Gemarah which is quoted Le'Halacha. Far from a day of wild partying, it is the
day when G-d passes judgement on ALL living creatures.
4) Yes, I'm an Orthodox Jew.
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% PERITUS CLAVIS % Michael Poppers
% MACHINAE VIVIT % {philabs,cucard,pegasus,rocky2}!aecom!poppers
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P.S. I'm open to responses, but please send *me* any quibbles -- don't use the
net for that.