Two readers wrote this week to ask about Easter sites and to comment on the fact that I didn’t wish my readers a Happy Easter, although I did wish “Hag Sameach” to those celebrating Passover. “Hag Sameach” is Hebrew for “Happy Holiday” and is greeting used on a variety of holidays. So (better late than never) Happy Easter to my Christian friends and readers. I hope everyone enjoyed the season, surrounded by family and friends.
This column brings up several issues I constantly ponder as a Jew. Barbara realized that she omitted greetings for gentiles and remedied the situation. Ariel, on the other hand reminds me of my father. ‘If they don’t greet us, why should we greet them.’
I think that Jews should know better and try to take the high road and be as courteous as possible to people of other cultures. There is enough hatred of Jews in the world without antagonizing others. Besides, it still amazes me that Jewish holidays are not celebrated by all Christians. After all, Don’t Christians believe in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament.
I could go on and on, but I will stop now. Thanks for your attention.
Norm
Who cares if you don’t wish them a happy whatever…you’re a Jew, they don’t wish you Hag Sameach…it is inconceivable that you are obligated to wish someone a happy holiday when they don’t wish you the same. Xianity is ioldatry anyways…and you are forbidden to wish them such days.
You Barbara, I am writing from Brazil.
one thing I like a lot about Americans is that the jewish culture is very much known.
On Passover, I was watching fox news on Pessach Eve and I heard a “good evening for the ones siting on their table waiting for Pessach, Hag Sameach”.
In Brazil, people have no clue what Hag Sameach is, and they have no idea what’s up with judaism. I know it is our Brazilian Jewish community fault, but I just thought was very nice you brought that up. 🙂