puzzled about xmas
when in my early 20s, i once went 2 xmas midnight mass with friends, just out of curiosity. surprised 2 see such solemnity--looked more like funeral than celebration. it's the birthday of their savior, 4 pete's sake. i still can't understand y christians aren't dancin' in church aisles on xmas
pls pardon poor typing--2 broken wrists
pls pardon poor typing--2 broken wrists
posted by Shira Salamone at 7:40 AM
4 Comments:
I think the solemnity is driven not by sadness but by a sense of holiness, gratitude and awe.
In the same vein, Jews don't dance in shul on YK, even though it could be considered a happy day: we get forgiveness, we get to make a fresh start with G-d, clean slate, etc.
good point. i can't imagine dancing in synagogue on yom kippur
I think Mich is right. I grew up Lutheran, and at the time, I recall being very moved by the midnight service on Christmas Eve. It might be the only specifically Christian practice that ever moved me...
Flash forward a few decades, and after becoming a Jew, I would meet a man who always likes to point out that our (Reform) services for Shabbat have far too much clapping and dancing about. Not enough solemnity. He prefers "Classical Reform," which was, of course, modeled rather self-consciously on Lutheran practice.
Regarding dancing on Yom Kiuppur: apparently it was a tradition at one time. See the reference to Rabban Shimon Ben-Gamliel in my Tu B'Av post from 2007.
it was natural, i suppose, 4 classical reform 2 have been modeled on lutheran practice, since it's early origins were in germany
interesting, informative tu b'av post. thanx 4 link
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