” . . . but this is a Christmas story in which things tend to happen that may never occur in real life.”
“Sort of like Joseph and Mary hiding out in the manger.”
” Let me tell you a funny story about pagan rituals.”
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story, by Lemony Snicket (a.k.a. Daniel Handler), Illustrations by Lisa Brown
In the time and place where I grew up, Brooklyn, N.Y. in the 1950s, I used to think we were all Jewish, Irish, and Italian by association, if not actually by blood. This was because these populations were predominate in our culture and communities. I loved the diversity, though that wasn’t a word we used at the time. I loved the foods, customs, languages, and religious rituals of others as much as those of my own family. Consequently, when I saw this book, I was delighted. I figured it was probably a book to teach Jewish children about Hanukah, which can present some challenges given the dominate securlar and religious ethos of Christmas. I thought maybe it could also be used to teach children of other faiths about Judaism and a holiday that is totally different from Christmas except for being celebrated at more-or-less the same time each year. It’s disappointing on both counts. It’s so busy embedding zings to Christianity and Christmas that it’s not as effective as it could be about Hanukah.
For those who may not know, Hanukah is a Jewish holiday, the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. and the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus. This 2,300 year old festival celebrates a military victory and the perseverance of a people who adhered to their faith despite persecution. It also commemorates the miracle of ritual olive oil that burned for eight days though there was only enough on hand to burn for one day.
The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story is the tale of a latke, which is a pancake made from grated potato, onion, and egg and a traditional side dish at Hanukah. The latke, about to be cooked in olive oil, leaps from the scalding heat of the fry pan and makes a temporary escape from his fate by jumping out the window and running into town. As he runs through town and then out into the surrounding woods, he meets various secular representations of Christmas and explains to each some aspect of Hanukah to show that he is not about Christmas at all. If it weren’t for the zingers, a few of which are posted above under the picture of the book, this could be a clever, engaging way to tell the Hanukah story to young children.
To address some of the zingers: While not all Christians are aware of the pagan origins of some stories and customs, many do know and still find strength and comfort in their religion and ritual and are often better people for it. Many Christians celebrate the esoteric elements of Christmas along with or without the secular ones, just as some Jews celebrate Hanukah and celebrate secular Christmas by putting up a Christmas tree. According to the traditional Christian story, Mary and Joseph did not “hide out” in a manager, but spent the night in a cave where shepherds kept their sheep at night when they (Mary and Joseph) could not find room at an inn. The infant Jesus, according to the story, was laid to sleep in a manager in that cave after he was born. If we’re going to tell the story, let’s start by getting it right.
The unfortunate underlying message of this book is dismissive, disrespectful, and divisive. The essential message is “the other guy’s religion is superstition,” and the message of Hanukah is lost in that. While part of the message of Hanukah is about military strength, understandably embraced by a people who have been brutalized and are in diaspora, I would submit that Hanukah is also about religious freedom. To ensure religious freedom for one group, we must protect it for all. This requires a level of respect and understanding that is absent here. This is one latke I wouldn’t eat. It’ll give you gas.
