A voice for the Tzibbur by the Tzibbur- overcoming challenges. We take no responsibility for comments posted you are solely responsible for any comments you make and their accuracy. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any comments posted by you or any third-party.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Menorah Returns to Town Square in Lakewood
A few years after the Lakewood township removed a menorah from town square, it has been put back up due to the effort and activism of R' Hershel Herskowitz. In 2015 the menorah removal became a international media story.
You won't find anything in Shulchan Orech about a Mitzva to put a Menorah in town square.
This just seems like it is just imitating the non-Jews. They put symbols of their religion in town square this time of the year so some feel we have to copy them.
We are not imitating the goyim. The menorah is an almost universal symbol. But moreover, in a town where the amenities are greatly enhanced by the tax revenue a large Jewish population generates, it is appropriate to balance out the holiday symbols on the main street of town. Frankly, if the decision was that in respect of separation of church and state, there would be no symbols at all during the holiday season, then we would have no reason to want a menorah.
Almost universal? Where can I find it outside a Jewish context?
But moreover, in a town where the amenities are greatly enhanced by the tax revenue a large Jewish population generates, it is appropriate to balance out the holiday symbols on the main street of town.
How is that not imitation?In essence you are saying that since they do it so we have to to imitate them to balance it out.
How they celebrate their holidays is their business. Our concept of Chanuka based on what is written in Shulchan Orech.We have nothing to balance out.
This is without even mentioning the opposition of Rav Moshe, Rav Yaakov etc. Menorah displays on public property when we are in Golus.Even if the motive is Kiruv which in this case it isn't
A few years after the Lakewood township removed a menorah from town square, it has been put back up due to the effort and activism of R' Hershel Herskowitz. In 2015 the menorah removal became a international media story.
What is the purpose of this Menorah?
ReplyDeleteYou won't find anything in Shulchan Orech about a Mitzva to put a Menorah in town square.
This just seems like it is just imitating the non-Jews. They put symbols of their religion in town square this time of the year so some feel we have to copy them.
We are not imitating the goyim. The menorah is an almost universal symbol. But moreover, in a town where the amenities are greatly enhanced by the tax revenue a large Jewish population generates, it is appropriate to balance out the holiday symbols on the main street of town. Frankly, if the decision was that in respect of separation of church and state, there would be no symbols at all during the holiday season, then we would have no reason to want a menorah.
ReplyDeleteThe menorah is an almost universal symbol.
DeleteAlmost universal? Where can I find it outside a Jewish context?
But moreover, in a town where the amenities are greatly enhanced by the tax revenue a large Jewish population generates, it is appropriate to balance out the holiday symbols on the main street of town.
How is that not imitation?In essence you are saying that since they do it so we have to to imitate them to balance it out.
How they celebrate their holidays is their business. Our concept of Chanuka based on what is written in Shulchan Orech.We have nothing to balance out.
This is without even mentioning the opposition of Rav Moshe, Rav Yaakov etc. Menorah displays on public property when we are in Golus.Even if the motive is Kiruv which in this case it isn't
Smart move to cancel the next committee meeting
ReplyDelete