I must have been tough, deciding whether to call the shiur "Mai Nittel" or "Zos Nittel."
In Litvishe Yeshivos this is a joke, but some of the greatest poskim (such as the Chasam Sofer) do take it seriously, for reasons ranging from aveilus for the harm he caused to giving koiach to klippos. See the excellent article on the topic here:
https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/ניטל
Same religion, different planet. Like going to Uman.
The Lubavitcher argument to "observe" Nittel based on the local gentiles rather than on the gentiles of one's place of origin is rather compelling.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you let me know that there's reid on the topic. Someone sent me an email because he was offended that we chose Eastern Orthodox tradition. Or maybe it's because we do Julian, like LEHAVDIL Birkas HaChama?
ReplyDeleteThe late Bostoner.Rebbe of Boro Park told me that he looked up the number and called a Greek or Russian Orthodox church to speak with the Father.Priest to know when they celebrate. Is it the night before, the night after -these are after all integral facts to know, lest one misadvertently learn or not learn on the wrong eve. After the priest telling him what he needed to know, he heard his give (I guess a goyeshe) krechtzt and say "you know Rabbi, you Jews are more interested in the workings of our holidays than our people are"!
ReplyDeleteLittle did he know.