Holiday Plates/Platter Instead of Christmas!

[ChefBeckyD]

I do know that in the Jewish faith, the name Jesus has no significant meaning - at the time of Christ's birth, it was just a name.....there were others named Jesus too....but only One who claimed to be the Christ.

 

[lacychef]

I am glad to know there is a Greek symbol that means Christ too. But in my experience the ones using "x" are using it to take Christ out, they do not know about the Greek symbol either. I do not think that is something widely known to everyone.

Well I for one do not use the X to take Christ out.....good to know about the symbol, I guess I was just being lazy honestly; just get in a hurry typing...

 

[lacychef]

Good lessons here btw!

 

[chefsara]

This has been one of the most interesting discussions I have ever read on CS. The lession in Judaism is so interesting. I am very thankful that we all can declare our faith and be friends still. Anyway, isn't that what Jesus taught? When I first started going to PC shows 15 years ago the Consultant expressed that it was a Christian company and that made a real impression on me and I have stuck with PC as my #1 home demo product show. It is sad that if that was so that they are bending to the pressure of the times to change Christmas to "holiday". Will they change Easter next? This has been a great discussion and I am so glad that someone had the courage and confidence to speak up. No one has offended anyone and it has been a real learning link. You are all great gals & guys. We are in this together! That is what makes this a great company.

 

[TammyStar]

I guess if you wanted to be PC (politcally correct) not Pampered Chef, you would have come out with "seasonal plates".

Holiday plates is the PC way of celebrating the Holiday formerly known as Christmas.

LOL Okay I'm gonna admit from years of watching ALL MY CHILDREN ( I remember when Erica was a cheerleader at Pine Valley High) PC reminds me of Palmer Cortland. And I'm new so I'm just getting used to PC meaning Pampered Chef. Thats why I like when people use "TPC". Although "TPC" is the golfcourse in Las Vegas close to where I used to live. (The Players Club)

Also laughed out loud about "the holiday fomerly known as Christmas" that was funny but sad at the same time because thats what our society has done to something that is very sacred to many people.

Not trying to Hijack a serious topic, but Janet your posts make me laugh, you must be very entertaining at cooking shows or we just have the same sense of humor.

And for the record, I agree with Chris and her original post, kudos to you for emailing HO, they should have known using the term "holiday" instead of Christmas was going to "stir the pot" of endless debates!

 

[susanr613]

What I was taught was that Jesus never existed. I am not the expert on Judaism, and there are different denominations, in degrees of observance and interpretation of the Bible and Talmud. So, Jennifer, your friend's SIL may very well have been taught differently.

To the Jews, the Messiah has not arrived yet - we don't know when, we don't know gender/name etc.

 

[janetupnorth]

What I was taught was that Jesus never existed. I am not the expert on Judaism, and there are different denominations, in degrees of observance and interpretation of the Bible and Talmud. So, Jennifer, your friend's SIL may very well have been taught differently.

To the Jews, the Messiah has not arrived yet - we don't know when, we don't know gender/name etc.

Thanks Susan - that clears up a bit. Basically, in your denomination the man mentioned in history and the Bible does not exist. You believe in A messiah, just don't know the time, place or format.

Other denominations may believe Jesus existed but in not who we say He is and are still waiting for the Messiah similar to you.

(Summarized right? - I'm processing. )

 

[janetupnorth]

Glad to make you laugh Tammy - I have kind of a dry sense of humor sometimes (or my DH thinks so...) You have to think or read closely to get the joke usually...but it's there...

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Glad to make you laugh Tammy - I have kind of a dry sense of humor sometimes (or my DH thinks so...) You have to think or read closely to get the joke usually...but it's there...

Where?...Where?....Hey, I don't see it - where'd it go???

 

[lkprescott]

Susan! Thank you so much for all the information you are sharing! Many of us have had little exposure to your faith and are grateful (I had no clue that Hanukkah was not as major as we thought). The more we know about each other the better our world becomes.

Now how about some of the other faiths? I would love to learn more about the other major religions of the world.

How about the minor ones? LOL

I'm always open to questions about my beliefs but not ever here to push or proselytize. But I have, on occasion, opened my mouth in defense (not just here but elsewhere) and as another voice in a variety of topics. Yule is one of my favorite holidays... the stories are fun, the appreciation of our blessings (compared to our ancestors, especially) is enormous and well, since most our symbols of the season have been borrowed it's an easy holiday to celebrate 'outloud' without sticking out oddly. LOL...

 

[susanr613]

good summary, janet.

in the end, of course, it all comes down to faith. i have tried to teach that to DS - even though he's Jewish and being raised Jewish, when he is an adult he will have his own beliefs

fortunately, across many faiths, there are two core messages:
- One omniscient, omnipotent God (Hindus sometimes say that their pantheon are all manifestations of God, not all seperate deities)
- Treat each other and the earth (and it's other inhabitants) with respect and kindness

I think we can all agree on bullet #2, can't we?

 

[janetupnorth]

Where?...Where?....Hey, I don't see it - where'd it go???

That must have been my hidden blonde joke...

 

[lkprescott]

Well I for one do not use the X to take Christ out.....good to know about the symbol, I guess I was just being lazy honestly; just get in a hurry typing...

LOL... I've used the X but never out of disrespect. I've known about the Greek symbolism/meaning and use it in that manner. Plus it's faster typing...

I respect Christians who walk their path in a Christ-like manner. It's those who wish to quarrel about being 'right' more so than others and closed off to any other possibilities that I find try my patience. I've met so many folks of a variety of faiths, over the years, and have felt the sting of prejudice to do my best to allow a person's actions to tell me more than any label. Personally, in an ideal world, it'd be less about labels (and the presumptions/stereotypes that they contain) and more about getting along with one another.

 

[lkprescott]

good summary, janet.

in the end, of course, it all comes down to faith. i have tried to teach that to DS - even though he's Jewish and being raised Jewish, when he is an adult he will have his own beliefs

fortunately, across many faiths, there are two core messages:
- One omniscient, omnipotent God (Hindus sometimes say that their pantheon are all manifestations of God, not all seperate deities)
- Treat each other and the earth (and it's other inhabitants) with respect and kindness

I think we can all agree on bullet #2, can't we?

Well said... :thumbup:

 

[BethCooks4U]

How about the minor ones? LOL

I'm always open to questions about my beliefs but not ever here to push or proselytize. But I have, on occasion, opened my mouth in defense (not just here but elsewhere) and as another voice in a variety of topics. Yule is one of my favorite holidays... the stories are fun, the appreciation of our blessings (compared to our ancestors, especially) is enormous and well, since most our symbols of the season have been borrowed it's an easy holiday to celebrate 'outloud' without sticking out oddly. LOL...

Of course the minor ones too! Nothing is "minor" if it is "mine" (or yours...) I didn't mean to exclude anyone and "major" is probable an automatic addition to the statement as programed by the media (KWIM?)

Please share!!

 

[janetupnorth]

LOL... I've used the X but never out of disrespect. I've known about the Greek symbolism/meaning and use it in that manner. Plus it's faster typing...

I respect Christians who walk their path in a Christ-like manner. It's those who wish to quarrel about being 'right' more so than others and closed off to any other possibilities that I find try my patience. I've met so many folks of a variety of faiths, over the years, and have felt the sting of prejudice to do my best to allow a person's actions to tell me more than any label. Personally, in an ideal world, it'd be less about labels (and the presumptions/stereotypes that they contain) and more about getting along with one another.

The latter is the biggest battle for anyone. All of us are human, all sinners. To live in a Christ-like manner surround by sin is any person's biggest struggle.
But that is the wonderful part of what we believe, Christ died for ANY one and ALL sin. Slipping and falling once in awhile isn't the end, Christ forgave that too.

I believe the Bible is very clear on many issues and there are certain black and white things where tolerance doesn't fit. That's where it gets difficult. When a not-so-perfect person like all of us stand up for what we believe in some cases, those of different faith or searching tend to see the imperfections of the believer and judge by that rather than what Christ did on the cross. ...and of course, there is always the "bad apple" to spoil the bunch. I can be EVERY person has met someone they label as a "Christian" that they would also label as "hypocritical". The twist to human nature...we don't want to be vulnerable, we don't want to admit faults, and we don't WANT to be accountable to a higher power sometimes due to the vulnerability. But I believe God has placed eternity in our hearts. We all have that peace of us longing for Him and his creation and reunion with Him. What we do with it is our decision. He created us with free-will to choose. Why would God want us to be robots and blindly serve? That isn't love, that is routine.

OK, I probably could ramble for a long time, but I have some more work calling my name...besides...I opened enough more up for discussion.

 

[lkprescott]

Of course the minor ones too! Nothing is "minor" if it is "mine" (or yours...) I didn't mean to exclude anyone and "major" is probable an automatic addition to the statement as programed by the media (KWIM?)

Please share!!

I figured, but for so many, there seems to be an.... 'amnesia' beyond anything that's non-Abrahamic in nature. Unfortunately, there also runs rampant centuries of myths, legends and stereotypes that are continually supported by media and *sigh* Hollywood. LOL...

I like when folks are open to learning new things - even if they don't agree with them. When my brother (a Christ like Christian we much as any human can be) asked about my beliefs (in a nutshell, I'm an open minded free thinking pantheist) he did so out of loving worry but relaxed when we realized that our favored method of communing with deity is pretty much the same (out in Nature)... finding a common ground on the mountain of beliefs can be handy and is so much better than pointing out the dissimilarities.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I figured, but for so many, there seems to be an.... 'amnesia' beyond anything that's non-Abrahamic in nature. Unfortunately, there also runs rampant centuries of myths, legends and stereotypes that are continually supported by media and *sigh* Hollywood. LOL...

I like when folks are open to learning new things - even if they don't agree with them. When my brother (a Christ like Christian we much as any human can be) asked about my beliefs (in a nutshell, I'm an open minded free thinking pantheist) he did so out of loving worry but relaxed when we realized that our favored method of communing with deity is pretty much the same (out in Nature)... finding a common ground on the mountain of beliefs can be handy and is so much better than pointing out the dissimilarities.

Hmmm, there's a similarity right there - since the media and Hollywood seem to do that with most, if not all religions.

Attacking other peoples beliefs does nothing but cause hurt and pain...I'm glad that this is a place for honest discussion w/o being hurtful to each other!

 

[susanr613]

"Attacking other peoples beliefs does nothing but cause hurt and pain...I'm glad that this is a place for honest discussion w/o being hurtful to each other!"

hear hear!

 

[peichef]

So, after all this great dialog....does anyone want to buy my Christmas and/or Yuletide themed platter? I earned one for SAT and of course will not be using it in my home. I also do not like to bring delicate things to shows, so it will just sit in my garage.

PM me with your zip if you're interested.

You gave me the laugh I soooo needed this morning Thanks, Susan.

 

[peichef]

Sadly sometimes Christians make the worst Christians.

I'm working on that however...

well said!

 

[Jennie4PC]

Susan,
I learned something from you that I never new about the Jewish faith. Of course I am 1 that doesnt know much about many faiths but it is interesting to learn.

 

[peichef]

okay. I'm couaght up on this thread now. So... my turn, my turn. I have a question for Susan....what's a mezuzah? Menorah, I know. The Jewish holidays, I know. The basics n Judaism re: beliefs, I know.BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A MEZUZAH???It's nice for once to have someone to ask these things of, besides my dad. (I'm a preacher's kid.)

 

[susanr613]

I copied this from a website - sorry that it takes up a lot of space:

What is a Mezuzah?

A mezuzah is a sacred parchment inscribed by hand with two portions of Torah. It is stored in a protective case and hung on the doorposts of Jewish homes.

Parchment
The parchment (klaf) come from a kosher species of animal.

Inscribed by Hand
The person who writes on the parchment is called a sofer (scribe). Scribes are trained to inscribe the mezuzah in the same manner and script as the Torah. Any mistakes make the mezuzah invalid.

Torah
The two portions of Torah written on the parchment are Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) and Vehaya (Deuteronomy 11:13-21). Both of these Torah portions include the verse, "And you shall inscribe these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates."

Protective Case
Once the mezuzah is written, it is rolled from left to right and placed in a protective case.

Hung on Doorposts
Mezuzot are affixed to the doorpost of each room in the home and place of business, except for the bathrooms.

Why Hang a Mezuzah?

In the Torah, God commands the Jewish people to hang mezuzot on their doorposts. Two Torah portions, Shema and Vehaya, include the verse: "And you shall inscribe these words upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates."

The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) begins with "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." The Shema reminds us that God is always present in our lives, and that we should keep God's words constantly in our minds and in our hearts. The Shema tells us that one way to do this is by writing them on the doorposts of our house. Vehaya (Deuteronomy 11:13-21) assures us of God's compensation if we fulfill his commandments (mitzvot).

It is a Torah commandment to hang mezuzot on our doorposts. Mezuzot, in turn, remind of God's presence and of our duty to fulfill God's commandments.

 

[susanr613]

Oh, and the Torah takes us from creation (Genesis) through the Hebrews about to enter Canaan after the exodus from Egypt, including Moses' final speech and death. It's handwritten on a parchment scroll. We read a portion every Sabbath, as well as a portion from the other books of the "Old Testament".

 

[susanr613]

Thanks everyone for your respect and curiousity

 

[lkprescott]

Susan thanks for that! I'd wondered about the why part. I know some folks who use various symbols including bindrunes for various reasons (with a home, namely protection or blessings to the inhabitants, good fortune, et al) but never heard of Mezuzah... very interesting!

 

[chefmeg]

WOW!!! What an amazing dialog this thread has been! I have learned SO much!
I laughed when someone posted "I am a Catholic, not Christian" because it was how I felt when I was little! I grew up in Southeast Alabama (my Dad was Army) and as a Catholic, I was very much in the minority! For years, I really had no idea that Catholics were Christians because I could never talk to anyone about their beliefs without feeling thumped over the head with the buckle of the Bible belt. It took many years of learning on my own part to get comfortable to even tell people my religion and even more years to be comfortable talking to anyone other than Catholics about it!
I am part of a group at my church that is called WINGS (Women in Gods Spirit) and we have had a local Rabbi come talk to us several times. He is amazing! The man can talk for hours without the first note in front of him. He LOVES us Catholic women and will tell you if he weren't Jewish, he'd be Catholic....quite the entertainer he is! He has answered so many of my questions about Judaism and Hebrews in general.
I am so impressed with how this thread has been handled...what a great group you all have been to be respectful and polite about a potentially dangerous topic.

About the plates....I would LOVE to hear what Pampered Chef has to say in response to your email Jennifer. I fear that our society is all to careful to offend no one that we have done a 180 and are now offending most everyone. I will call the plates Christmas plates and sell bunches of them because they are too cute...but I wish PC had made them actual "holiday" plates....I think they would have sold better.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I can't wait to get home and read all the new posts on here! This has been a really great discussion! I can tell it's been blessed...

 

[jrstephens]

I can't wait to get home and read all the new posts on here! This has been a really great discussion! I can tell it's been blessed...

You better get off work early to catch up!!