Menorah - ok for non-Jew?
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Anonymous
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Please - this not a political debate - genuine religious question
One of my Jewish friends posted that people should buy & light menorahs in their window to show love & support for their Jewish friends during Chanukah in light of the Bondi massacre. I’m a spiritualist and do not follow any organized religion. Would it be offensive or wrong for a non-Jewish person to have a menorah in the window? |
Anonymous
| yes it would be wrong |
Anonymous
Are you saying it’s wrong from a political standpoint or from a religious standpoint point? |
Anonymous
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I'm an evangelical Christian and I think this is wrong as well.
The menorah is not a symbol or a rallying point. It is a very real part of the Jewish celebration of this holiday. So yes, to use it in the manner you have in mind, OP, is disrespectful and displays a lack of awareness of a meaningful part of a religious celebration for the Jewish people. |
Anonymous
| I don't know if it's wrong... it's just weird. As a non-Jew, I know the story of the 8 nights but I now that I think about it, I don't really know if a menorah is a very sacred religious item like rosary beads, or something more cultural that can be used as you describe. Maybe opinions vary which is why your friend is endorsing it. If you don't know either, best not to take the chance, right? |
Anonymous
+1 The menorah shouldn't be used like a BLM flag. |
Anonymous
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I think it's fine, but evidently fear of appropriating religious and cultural trappings is very real on DCUM!
Just keep them in your thoughts, OP, like we all do. The Syrian-born man who disarmed one of the shooters is a hero, and I admire his courage and nerves of steel. |
Anonymous
| How exactly does a menorah in your window communicate your love and support for the Jewish people? If I saw it, I'd think you're Jewish and nothing else. It's all performative anyway. Volunteer or donate to causes that are important to you. Signs on your window are meaningless. |
Anonymous
OP here, and why I was asking. Her post was something shared from a Rabbis post, with “a little light chases away a lot of darkness.” I don’t see her request as quite the same as BLM flag, or a flag of Israel or Palestine. But more of a light in darkness, which is why I was thinking about it but also did not want to offend if it’s a deeply religious item… which it sounds like it may be and it would be potentially offensive or tacky. |
Anonymous
+1 This x100 |
Anonymous
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It's related to this movement:
https://www.projectmenorah.com/ |
Anonymous
| Yes it would be offensive to me. |
Anonymous
From a religious standpoint. Putting one up would be cultural appropriation. Support your Jewish friends in other ways - we appreciate it. |
Anonymous
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In this case you are printing a menorah, not purchasing one. |
Anonymous
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I posted this, but I was sure that I had seen this way before 2023. Here is the story I was thinking about. https://www.niot.org/niot-video/not-our-town-billings-montana-0 The part with the menorahs starts at 2:17. In that context, I think a menorah in the window was a good choice. I find it very odd that the Project Menorah people are claiming to have invented this. |