Love elf on a shelf but Jewish

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP just adopt him. He's doesn't have to be Christian.

Heck look how the Christians "adopted" all the pagan symbolism that is now part of christmas!

In my house we have a christmas tree and a menorah. No jews or christians in my home. We're unitarian.

Unitarians aren't Christian?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mohel on a shelf.

Well that is an image. Sneaks up unexpectedly on friends during playdates (since the OP's child clearly has no further need for a mohel). That is way scarier than the elf on a shelf. Scarier even than golems.

[Anonymous]

Fiddler on the roof.

[Anonymous]

Turkey on the Table? Menorah on the Mantel? Dreidel by the Door?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why can't you just use the elf? is there something in Judaism that forbids this?

Doesn't forbid but an elf is Xmas related and we don't celebrate Xmas.

Please don't " X" out Christ. Rude rude rude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fiddler on the roof.

tee hee.

I still like a golem in your closet. Love to scare the kinderlach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why can't you just use the elf? is there something in Judaism that forbids this?

Doesn't forbid but an elf is Xmas related and we don't celebrate Xmas.

Elf on the shelf isn't Christmas related. Where did you get that idea?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP just adopt him. He's doesn't have to be Christian.

Heck look how the Christians "adopted" all the pagan symbolism that is now part of christmas!

In my house we have a christmas tree and a menorah. No jews or christians in my home. We're obnoxious.

There. Fixed that for ya.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. I hate the elf -- can't you just discipline your kids without holding the threat of no presents over their heads? Or if you want to do this manipulative bullshit, can't you just TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT like the grown up you supposedly are? Please.

Statements like this make me sad. I can understand not liking the 'snitch' aspect of the Elf, but at least for our family and the others I've talked to the 'magic' of the Elf isn't the reporting aspect, but rather finding him in a new spot each day, and (for the kids of my more organized friends) seeing what 'mischief' the Elf has caused - swapping out socks for stockings, traipsing Elf footprints across the kitchen counter, etc. I'm sure there are some people who use the Elf (and the original 'Naughty or Nice' tradition) as a discipline assist, but I think for most of us it's just one more *fun* holiday tradition to do with our kids.

Growing up I loved the 'magical' feel of the holiday season, and having my own kids is renewing my love of those traditions. I stopped believing in Santa Claus by 6, but that didn't take away the fun of the myth, or make the appearance of presents under the tree feel less special just because I knew my parents had done it. In a weird way knowing that my parents were going to all this trouble to perpetuate the 'magic' of the season made it more special.

There's nothing magical about this elf. It was invented by some housewife from Iowa in 2005. It's a self-published book, for Heaven's sake.

And, btw, it has nothing to do with Christmas. It doesn't even have to do with the secular stories associated with Christmas.

[Anonymous]

That said, I acknowledge that it appeals to the type of people who enter their 4 yos in beauty pageants, frequent Wal-Mart and think Applebees is fine dining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP just adopt him. He's doesn't have to be Christian.

Heck look how the Christians "adopted" all the pagan symbolism that is now part of christmas!

In my house we have a christmas tree and a menorah. No jews or christians in my home. We're unitarian.

Unitarians aren't Christian?

No. They're not really anything, really, in terms of faith. They go to church for the fellowship part, but they don't really worship any deity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:why can't you just use the elf? is there something in Judaism that forbids this?

Doesn't forbid but an elf is Xmas related and we don't celebrate Xmas.

Please don't " X" out Christ. Rude rude rude

The X is a chi. The chi stands for "Christ". Christians have been using X to refer to Christ for 1,500 years (or more).

[Anonymous]

Maccabi on the Mantle. It's a "miracle" he shows up in different places each night of Hanukkah. He doesn't need to report back to parents or anyone. He could just be a fun hide-and-seek game for the kids.

Scroll halfway down for a picture of a Judah Maccabi action figure.

http://sarainakko.blogspot.com/2010/10/crafting-for-chanukah-already.html

Have fun!!

[Anonymous]

We created The Mensch on a Bench...check it out!

www.themenschonabench.com

Jewish traditions, book, doll, hits on everything everyone here is talking about!

[Anonymous]

hare on the stair instead of elf on the shelf??