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| Photo: Daily Mail |
A story is told, about the Lubavitcher Rebbe, how one year on the 1st of January he wished someone a "Happy New Year". Seeing the surprised reaction to this open acknowledgment of this secular juncture, the Rebbe went on and quoted a verse in Tehillim [Psalms 87], where King David writes how "G-d takes into account the demarcations of time of all the nations of the world".
As Jews we don't ignore New Year, we acknowledge the world around us.
The Apta Ruv – The Oheiv Yisrael - used to bless people on the secular New Year’s “From now on, there should be a good year for Klal Yisrael”
It is said that The Ropshitzer Ruv, used to wish people a happy new year’s in Polish “Szczęśliwego nowego roku” on the secular new year.
See more at : The Rare Minhag of Wishing ''Shana Tova'' on New Years
A Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s secretary, Rabbi Nissan Mindel, during the 70’s would often find himself in the Rebbe’s office.
Once, he was in the office during the eve of the secular New Year. When twelve o’clock arrived, the Rebbe looked at his watch and said in English “Happy New Year.”
When Rabbi Mindel looked shocked at the Rebbe, the Rebbe responded: “It is an explicit verse (Tehillim 87:6): “The Lord counts in the script of the nations.”[1]
[1] Neirot LeHair, Pg. 23
Yes, but how can we forget that in reality, New Years Day is Yoshke's Brit Day, the 8th day from and including December 25th (the supposed day of his birth). Never forget that AD is a Latin acronym for "the Year of their lord", Oto Ish. So yes, I recognize the calculations of the world around us too...., and I believe those calculations in this case, ARE WRONG!
ReplyDeleteGood point Dov, I never thought of it that way.
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