Dahlia Lithwick has a piece over at Slate that discusses which
Christmas specials are OK for Jewish kids to watch. Not according to
the Torah, which was written pre-TV, but based on her discussions with
a few families.
She found that her generation's Jewish kids were allowed to watch "one or all" of the following: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A
Charlie Brown Christmas, and The Year Without Santa Claus. Two of
these are among my personal favorites, but I would include Rudolph The
Red-Nosed Reindeer in that list. Apparently that one didn't make the
cut for the Jewish now-grown-up kids that Lithwick spoke to.
The reason surprised me – a "no Santa" rule. No Jesus, I get. Jesus is
religion. Nothing wrong with religion, but if it isn't YOUR religion
and you choose not to watch shows that feature religious elements,
that's your choice. But Santa? Was he in the Bible? Frosty was also
banned from some Jewish households, according to Lithwick, because of a
"no resurrections rule", which I think is pushing it.
Here's the thing – I like Christmas specials. I even like Christmas
music. And I'm Jewish. Obviously Christmas is a religious holiday for
millions of people. But last time I checked, Rudolph wasn't one of the
apostles. So I hereby give permission to all Jewish parents — let the
kids watch Rudolph! Why deprive them of the joys of Rankin and Bass?
The Island of Misfit Toys? Yukon Cornelius? Hermey the Elf who would
rather be a dentist? This a great show! And The Year Without a Santa
Claus? Heat and Cold Miser! This is good stuff, people!
Interestingly, A Charlie Brown Christmas does feature religion
prominently. Somehow that made the cut in many Jewish households,
according to Lithwick. Why? In my opinion, there are a few reasons.
First, Linus says it. That makes it automatically more OK than if the
same words come out of some claymation dog (Davey and Goliath,
anyone?). Second, it's done in the context of "good will towards men",
which is hard to argue with. Third, it isn't presented in a way that
says, "If you don't believe these words, you will burn in Hell for all
eternity." It's actually quite lump-in-the-throat inducing, in a good
way. Last, after Linus says his piece, everyone finally starts being
nice to Charlie Brown, decorating his tree, and making nice warm and
fuzzy holiday feelings. That's my theory, anyway.
Anyway, whatever your faith may be, or even if you happen to faithless,
don't ban Christmas specials just because they happen to be about
Christmas. Give 'em a chance. Maybe the kids will like it. You might
enjoy it as well.
Oh, Merry Christmas. And Happy Chanukah.
Source: Slate
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