Ahh...the first snow of the season. The first beautiful, magical blanket of pure white warming us to the bones despite it's freezing temperatures. The crisp bite in the air becomes pleasant instead of threatening with it's soft, fluffy friend accompanying it. All the noises of everyday living are muffled and insulated, giving the world a more peaceful aspect. When I woke up this morning and took a peek outside my window, the scene that greeted my eyes immediately brought to mind the words "walking through a winter wonderland" complete with background music. The song still hasn't left my head, or to be really accurate, those five words haven't. They've been running circles in my brain and, funnily enough, I really don't mind. As soon as I started humming, I felt better, and as long as I kept humming, my mood kept up.
18 comments:
I concur: I love the snow, I love the lights, and the song "Let it Snow" just gives me a happy feeling (again, no mention of any holiday in that one!).
From a halachic perspective, I'm taking a class in hilchot avodah zara now, and my rabbi said that regarding Christmas decorations etc. he doesn't see a problem in looking and enjoying them as long as they aren't religiously significant (meaning that lights wouldn't be a problem, a tree is more of a maybe but still likely ok, and a nativity scene is not good). I was relieved to hear that, personally.
*And now for a word from our sponsors*
This holiday season, please exercise caution, and don't use "it's" when you mean "its." Do it for the sake of our children. Thank you.
*This has been a public service announcement brought to you by SODAPOP (The Society Of the Defense And Protection Of Punctuation)*
Oh, you knew SJ would find something. Those crazy English majors.
AnywayS... when Serach and I were dating, we had a really nice date at Rockefeller Center - checked out the tree, decorations, and most importantly, the really cool ice sculptures (which had nothing to do with Christmas AFAIK). It's gorgeous stuff. I kinda shudder at nativity scenes, and honestly don't think they're all that nice, anyway.
I really enjoyed walking down 6th Avenue from a client back to my office on Friday and seeing them readying a few cool things - huge decorative balls made to look ready to be put on a tree, etc. There's nothing religious about them at all - they're just nice, ya know?
I like the holiday windows! They're so fun. It's my secret dream to be one of the people who creates them (because what could be funner than making a 3D display of whimsy?), but whenever I tell this to my friends from the BY schools I attended, they never know quite what to do with me :D.
Ask your LOR to find out what to do, if you're really very troubled.
I agree with you and with SJ! I love the snow! I love winter songs and jingles! The other day in the mall, I heard the song Frosty the Snowman and it had absolutely NOTHING to do with Christmas.
As a kid, my parents used to take me to see the lights in a fancy neighborhood near my own. I remember being so excited for that yearly trip...until my school mentioned something about the goyishness of lights and decorations. I felt so let down, so...dirty.
But y'know what? Those trips didn't have a deleterious effect on my neshama (as far as I can see...I hope...) but one thing they did do was pique my curiousity through a display of beautiful things while I spent time with my family without spending any money. I don't know if I would bring my own kids to see that kind of thing, but I don't think it's assur or even bad.
Music...that's a different story.
Too long to comment on that... :-P
And yes, snow is breathtaking. I like it too much for my own good
I hate the snow. It's pretty to look at, at least at first, but in NYC it gets so gross so fast. And anyway, I disliked snow even before I came to NY so it's just an excuse...I just dislike stuff that is cold and wet unless I am hot and thirsty.
It annoys me when Xmas songs get stuck in my head. The lights are pretty, though. And I walked by Rockefellar Center yesterday (on my way to somewhere else) and the tree is pretty too...cuz of all the lights. :)
So Madame Hatter, some of your questions piqued my curiosity. I too sometimes wonder the same things this time of year. To get a better feel for this issue I took the liberty of e-mailing your post (anonymously, of course) to a fairly well known Rabbi in Israel**. He "converses" with american students about these types of things and in fact his opinions have been mentioned on other blogs. Below is the reply I received**:
I can't decide if it's a bad thing or not
--What!! Of course it’s a bad thing
it's kinda sad that I'm so much a part of the secular culture around me
--Yes, very sad
I think it's even sadder that I find joy and cheer in singing songs about a holiday antithetical to my own religion.
--That is beyond sad, it’s positively heartbreaking
Jingles on the radio,
--Why are listening to the radio, buy some nice jewish music CDs
Jingles in the stores,
--Any store that plays such music is not one that you should be frequenting in the first place!!
Jingles on T.V.,
--Hashem yerachem
Jingles in movies.
--See above
Then again, perhaps I should be more careful to shelter myself from all of the above.
--Perahps?! There is no question you should. Baruch Hshem you are not so far gone that this question has entered your mind.
Is that too extreme?
--Doing what is proper in God’s eyes is never “too extreme”
Is that even possible?
--See above
I can't help but wonder just how terrible these songs are.
-- Terrible is a good term. Again, Baruch Hashem that you can still ask this question.
And what about the decorations?
--What about them?
Is is okay to look?
--No!! Would you go look at a nativity scene or a midnight mass?
How about to enjoy?
--If you are careful about not looking you won’t have to worry about enjoying.
These people spend a lot of time and money on their holiday decorations and the results are very often breathtaking.
--I am sure that the same could have been said about the avoda zarah houses in previous generations, what’s your point?
My mother used to wistfully remark how she would love to go see the Christmas decorations in Rockefeller Center.
--Gut in Himmel. No wonder you think this way, just look at the yichus.
Me and my siblings, her properly insulated children would be horrified.
--Baruch Hashem that she did teshuva and has tried to properly raise her children.
Go just to look at Christmas decorations? But, won't we go blind from the tumah?
--You think this type of letzanos makes doing so any better? You have no idea the horrible outcomes that will result from having internalized such tumah.
Won't it draw us over to the dark side?
--Yes! Yes!! A thousand times, yes!!! (what is this "dark side"?)
I'm sure some people would find the idea that I even know the lyrics to Christmas songs scandalous,
--Surely. They are called Daas Torah, ovdei Hashem and bnei torah/bnos yisroel and those learning/married in Kollel
while many others would find the whole concept of guilt associated with singing them ludicrous.
--Sadddly this is also true. These types of people are called amei haaretz and kofrim and people who work for a living
Everything is put in this world for our enjoyment including the products of secular minds,
--Everything!? What about those things that are assur, which usually coincides with these “products of secular minds”
and I have a hard time finding too much connection these days between Christmas practices and concepts and the religious meaning supposedly behind them.
--Just because you are so steeped in that world that it is beyond your sensitivities does not mean that it is not there. Even if, so what, that is their origin and they are fruit of the poison tree.
Is there even a religious meaning to them anymore?
--See above
Does anyone remember what it is?
--See above
And if a tree all lit up with ornaments just looks like a beautiful piece of art to me, is it a problem to enjoy it? It's just a bunch of lights. It's just a song. Isn't it?
--Hashem Yerachem.
--I highly advise that you immediately seek out a member of Daas Torah who can show you the error of your ways and urgently return you back onto the proper path.
P.S. - In case it was not clear from my above points...YOU ARE SUBPAR**.
**Just kidding :)
ROTFL
omg G.
How long did that take you???
Dear SODAPOP,
Onn be1/2 uv awll spell√ h8ers:
Get flat.
G- That. Was. Hilarious.
Kept me rolling for about 5 minutes...at work! :-D
Just for reference's sake... Here. :)
And G, that was freaking hilarious.
The floor now recognizes a party who wishes to rebut those arguments written earlier today:
I can't decide if it's a bad thing or not
--Bad is such an ugly word.
it's kinda sad that I'm so much a part of the secular culture around me
--Sad? Oh, please. You'd rather live your whole life in a cave, afraid of what might happen if you actually tried to *gasp* venture out into the big, bad, ugly world?
I think it's even sadder that I find joy and cheer in singing songs about a holiday antithetical to my own religion.
--Ah, Ah, Ah. The holiday is antithetical. The songs? Again, please, you really think so? Nobody's asking you to go caroling. (bunch of crazies anyway, it's cold!!!)
Jingles on the radio,
--Love 'em. Personal favorite: "Christmas Eve, Sarajevo"
Jingles in the stores,
--Some of the best backround noise ever!
Jingles on T.V.,
--Can't say as i have come across this much, and it's not like i don't get the exposure necessary.
Jingles in movies.
--I look forward every year to the annual Die Hard marathons. "Oh, the weather outside is frightful..."
Then again, perhaps I should be more careful to shelter myself from all of the above.
--Shelter? What, are they pelting you w/ Jingle Bells as you walk down the street?
Is that too extreme?
--Yes, yes it is.
Is that even possible?
--Don't know, don't care.
I can't help but wonder just how terrible these songs are.
--Whadya mean wonder? Either you like the way they sound or you don't. Music is music.
And what about the decorations?
--What about 'em?
Is is okay to look?
--**rolling eyes**
How about to enjoy?
--See above.
These people spend a lot of time and money on their holiday decorations and the results are very often breathtaking.
--They certainly are, just like the ceiling of the sistine chapel is or the hanging gardens must have been.
My mother used to wistfully remark how she would love to go see the Christmas decorations in Rockefeller Center.
--Thank God, there is at least someone in your family who is normal.
Me and my siblings, her properly insulated children would be horrified.
--...never mind, it seems mom caved to social pressure just like everybody else.
Go just to look at Christmas decorations? But, won't we go blind from the tumah?
--Lord have mercy.
Won't it draw us over to the dark side?
--No, young sywalker. As master Yoda has taught, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Now what side of this argument does that sound like to you?
I'm sure some people would find the idea that I even know the lyrics to Christmas songs scandalous,
--Surely. They are called arrogant, narrowminded, isolationists and also killjoys.
while many others would find the whole concept of guilt associated with singing them ludicrous.
--Fortunately this is also true. These types of persons are called normal, open mindedand, level headed and also people who enjoy life.
Everything is put in this world for our enjoyment including the products of secular minds,
--Damn skippy!
and I have a hard time finding too much connection these days between Christmas practices and concepts and the religious meaning supposedly behind them.
--Hard, try damn near impossible. Even if one could, who cares.
Is there even a religious meaning to them anymore?
--See above.
Does anyone remember what it is?
--See above.
And if a tree all lit up with ornaments just looks like a beautiful piece of art to me, is it a problem to enjoy it? It's just a bunch of lights. It's just a song. Isn't it?
--Now your talkin'.
P.S. - In case it was not clear from my above points...RELAX.
Uh oh - g is back with his sub-par remarks!
g- I'm starting with you, cuz my belly still hurts from laughing so much:)
"Thank God, there is at least someone in your family who is normal."
I'm highly insulted. There is absolutely no one normal in my family.
"never mind, it seems mom caved to social pressure just like everybody else."
I was actually referring to the bais yaakov system i went through.
"RELAX"
Even if the advice didn't help(it did), the laughing would have taken care of that:)
SJ- Did I actually write it's when I meant its? I'm truly horrified(not a bit of sarcasm). I usually watch out for things like that. Sorry to have subjected you;)
BTW, I absolutely love your acronyms-they're really clever:)
SJ, Ezzie, Erachet, Scraps, CP, Apple- Thank you for sharing. It's always great to know there are like-minded people out there:)
Scraps- I know what you mean, but nothing can beat it when it's still fresh and white:)
Apple- what does ROTFL mean?
CP- "Music...that's a different story.
Too long to comment on that... :-P"
Oh no, I sense we will have to agree to disagree on this one too;)
ROTFL = rolling on the floor laughing (or alternatively, with laughter)
My word verification: nuwfrgg. New frog. Weird.
OMG, G. That was SO FUNNY. Wow, I feel like one of those shrieking girls in the caf or something. Hehe. But anyway, HILARIOUS. :D
Also, loved the sub-par reference!
G, You really need your own blog. Hilarious.
I'm guilty of going to Manhattan specifically to look at holiday windows. They have nothing to do with holidays and they're beautiful and they're there for me to enjoy.
Of course, I also eat turkey on Thanksgiving, so be warned.
Honestly - it all has so little to do with the holiday. If you're confidently entrenched in your own faith, you can enjoy what the others have to offer without worry.
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