It was recently pointed out to me that Festivus falls during Hanukkah. OK, I saw that coming. But, what I did not immediately realize was the serious shailah which comes up as a result of the conflict:Is one allowed to meqaym the Festivus minhag of the "Airing Of Grievances" during Hanukkah?
Two years ago, Festivus fell on Shabbath, and the last day of Hanukkah. The solution was easy, to postpone it until after Shabbath and Hanukkah went out.
Last year, Festivus fell a good week and half after Hanukkah. So, there wasn't any conflict with Hanukkah to deal with, but I took the opportunity to answer some crucial Festivus shailos.
It appears from my notes that I inferred in one of my rulings, that one may not air grievances during Hanukkah:
Instances when e-mails cannot be sent on December 23 include Shabbath and Hanukkah for Jews.However, I believe that further research is necessary. So, I have asked resident mumhim on such matters, Jacob Da Jew, Frum Satire, and Erica to review the relevant literature, consult their own rabbonim and hevrusas, and to provide us with tshuvos.
(Erica, this is not a meme,...not exactly anyway. I know you hate memes.)
I have also asked Benjy Lovitt, whom I have only recently met on-line, to chime in. Let's see what this new Jew-rusalem transplant from Tel-Aviv has to say.
Please leave your tshuvos or links to tshuvos in the comments section. Everyone is welcome to chime in,...well, almost everybody.
I realize that Festivus and Hanukkah still five weeks away. But such intricate halachic discourse requires time and care, as does the crucial matter of publicizing the various opinions and rulings to the tzibur.
Any additional Festivus shailos? Post them here in the comments section.
6 comments:
I don't hold by Festivus...Sefardim don't go by the helige Seinfeld (Althouh I am related to that Mekubel in da family tree.)
B"H
Related? Do tell.
I'll have to look into this further.
אין שתי תורתו לישראל
We may have to bring you to a Beth Din to have your possible status as an epikourus, or worse, kofer, determined.
Umm, I'm like, secular and stuff. Could you please dumb it down for me? I do like the homage to Seinfeld.
Benji,
First off, there's no pressure, dude.
Notice the tongue-in-cheek label?
This is probably the only type of thing you'll find me looking more for creativity that halachic accuracy.
;-}
The point is that we don't want to impinge upon Hanuakkah celebrations by throwing the celebration of Festivus.
So, the questions are:
1. What do we do about the conflict?
2. Is there even a conflict?
3. Should we care?
4. Should we take the opportunity to tell Ya'aqov how stupid he's being?
You know, stuff like that.
Meqaym? Shailos? Wow, my Hebrew must be worse than I thought. In spite of my lack of understanding, I strongly suggest (How about decree? That's a nice Biblical word) that we all watch reruns of both "Seinfeld" and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" during Hanukkah while eating latkes and singing songs (while live blogging the whole thing of course.)
We can also videotape it and ask Jerry Stiller to commentate. Just my esser agaroth.
Benji,
Oh,...that stuff.
Um,...yeah, you're right.
Sorry.
Meqaym means to establish/do {verb going with mitzvah} and shailos is how many Askinazim would pronounce the word meaning "question."
Anyway, I like your response. Thanks for taking the time. :-}
Live blogging a Festivus seudah {meal}? Hmmm..... Intriguing.
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