The Yevonim Are Winning

In very recent times,  the DIP father has been using an expression, much to the exasperation of some of our children.  And it is now, I think, more relavant than ever.

The Yevonim are Winning.  Or, The Yevonim Have Won.

Normally I think I would have even put an exclamation point after this statement (The Yevonim Are Winning!!) , to show a lightness, a brevity, a humorous side.  But I can't.  I'm too disturbed.


My husband began using this term when he feels our children are too entwined, enthusiastic, or involved in pursuits he feels are very....Yevanim-like.  Mainly, I believe, he means sports.  He was never a huge fan type.  He followed, he cheered, he was disappointed  (mainly disappointed. That's what happens to Oriole fans).  But he was never obsessed with it.  And never ever had or has made judgements about other people who Really Love The Game.  Whatever The Game may be.  But for our children, it has saddened him to sometimes see too much involvement and enthusiasm...Okay, I'll call it obsession, time wasting, whatever......with organized sports, or popular trends.   And his reference to the Yevanim was clearly that- The ancient Greeks who glorified the beauty of physical prowess and ability, the antithesis to some of our Torah ideals.  So if the kids go on and on about something in sports, or something very new and popular in the American culture, that was discussed just a little too long and often at the Shabbos table, he will say (with a cheeful yet somewhat disappointed and sad look) "Oy! The Yevanim are WINNING!!".


But today I had a conversation at the mechanic with Luke, who converted for his wife.  He told me he's having the Chanuka Bush again, but it's going up a lot earlier, on Thanksgiving.  So he can have Chanuka, Thanksgiving, and early Xmas all at once.  Luke is not religious (actually not really jewish), so I understood his enthusiasm for all the holidays in one, the Menurkey, Thanksgivukkah, Chanaving, etc.

However....
I am not sure why so many frum people are embracing this coinciding of Chanuka and Thanksgiving. 
Really,  who cares??
I don't have a problem with frum people celebrating Thanksgiving, either by eating a traditional turkey/stuffing/cranberry/pie dinner, watching whatever football game is on, visiting with family.

But why are so many frum people going on and on about this?? and why are they proudly talking about how they are cooking food entwining these two themes? How can they? One is our sacred, holy, spiritual celebration of redemption, and Hashem's miracles!  The other is a secular holiday!

  I am so sad that so many, many people don't see that if we can compare and combine our beautiful holiday with another holiday (even IF it doesn't have religious overtones), then the Yevanim have definitely won. 

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