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The Short Vort- -Where were you on December 25th?” (7/1/10)
The Short Vort
Good Morning!
Today is Thursday the 19th of Tammuz 5770 and July 1, 2010
Where were you on December 25th?
The other day, during the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, the following humorous exchange took place:
Kagan brought the house down during an exchange on Tuesday with Sen. Lindsey Graham. The South Carolina Republican was about to ask Kagan whether terrorists like the Christmas Day bomber in Detroit should be given Miranda warnings before being questioned for intelligence information.
“Where were you on Christmas Day?” Graham asked, setting up his line of questioning.
Kagan could see where he was headed and attempted to dodge the question. “That is an undecided legal issue,” she said.
Graham persisted. “I just asked you where you were on Christmas?”
A gleam appeared in Kagan’s eye. She laughed out loud. “You know, like all Jews, I was probably in a Chinese restaurant.”
The hearing room erupted in laughter followed by applause. Perfect delivery. Perfect timing.
“Great answer,” Graham responded.
When I first read this, I cannot lie that I also laughed.
Although I have never been in a Chinese restaurant on December 25, I have heard about the minhag of many Jews to eat out at a Chinese restaurant on that night.
Indeed, this minhag is so widespread that one Jewish blogger writes the following:
By far, the most popular "Christmas tradition" that Jews seem to partake in is having Chinese for dinner and then going to the movies.
I’m not sure what the origin of this is, though I’m guessing it has to do with the fact that Chinese restaurants and theaters are actually in business on Christmas.
For several years, my in-laws made a big deal out of this tradition.
We’d come up to their place for the holiday and we’d drive around looking at the lights (this was my addition to their ritual). We’d then go to the Chinese buffet ... which was always packed!
The first time we went, I couldn’t believe it. But basically, everyone from my mother-in-law’s synagogue was there that night, all enjoying their typical holiday dinner.
What can I say?
Should I say how sad it is that Jews feel that their ethnicity only manifests itself through (possible non-kosher) food rituals?
Perhaps; however, there is more to be sad about.
As I looked at Elena Kagan and her upcoming potential confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice I thought to myself how privileged indeed we are.
However, I do not mean the royal ‘we’, (meaning ‘we’ as American Jews) I mean ‘we’ literally.
“We”, the readers of the Short Vort; “we” are so privileged.
Obviously I do not know the particulars of her life and I certainly do not know the tests and tribulations of her life; however, I know she grew up on the West Side of Manhattan in a somewhat Jewish home.
Her Bas Mitzvah was celebrated in Lincoln Square Synagogue where her parents were members.
She is not embarrassed at all about her Judaism or of her concern for the State of Israel.
Indeed, she said the following in her confirmation hearings:
"As you know, I don’t think it’s a secret I am Jewish," she added. "The state of Israel has meant a lot to me and my family.”
However, with all her degrees and all of her stardom, the ‘Jewish side’ of Ms. Kagan -who is 50 and never married-, does not seem to manifest itself in any way greater than Chinese food on December 25th.
I have not heard or seen of any evidence of Elena Kagan’s involvement with Jewish causes.
She no longer associates with Orthodox Judaism and is not seen by anyone as a spokesperson for Jewish causes.
However, my point is not to insult or even put down Ms. Kagan.
I wish her hatzlacha and Brocha in all of her endeavors and Hashem should grant her the wisdom to decide the cases brought before her in a way which will bring pride to the Jewish people.
If anything, the point of this Vort (if there is one) is to thank Ms. Kagan.
For what?
I must thank Ms. Kagan for reminding me that if I were ever asked “Where were you on Christmas Day?”– it would never even occur to me to answer, “You know, like all Jews, I was probably in a Chinese restaurant.”
The fact that I am not included in Ms. Kagan’s assessment of what “all Jews” do on December 25th, makes me realize how much I owe Hashem and how privileged indeed I am!
Thank you Hashem for all You do for me; for if not for your Chesed, who knows where I may have been on December 25th?
Think about that.