[Avodah] The Origins of the Non- Jewish Custom Of 'Shlissel Challah' (Key Bread) “The Loaf of Idolatry?”

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 11:47:34AM -0500, Prof. Levine wrote:
> I must admit that you have lost me in much of what you wrote.   My  
> search for Carnivale comes up with http://tinyurl.com/7rd9yvg >:-}

The earliest record of Purim costume is late 15th cent Italy, and then
codified by the Mahari Minz (who was in Venice) according to the Rama
(OC 696:8).

I meant Carnival <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival>, which in the
former French Colonies of the US is known as Mardi Gras. Carnival is
almost certainly the origin of dressing up on Purim, as it was already
practiced in Italty by then. And Carnival is the last celebation before
lent, and thus always 6 weeks 4 days before Easter. Thus, usually 2
weeks or so before Purim.

> I do eat fleishigs on Shavuous.  When I come home after davening  
> k"Vo'Sikin, I eat milchigs.  Later we eat fleishigs.

Whit Monday, the Monday after their holiday of Pentacost, is celebrated
in much of central Europe and among Orthodox churches. It is therefore
57 days after Easter, and therefore very close to Shavuos in most
years. Traditional celebration includes dairy products, because in the
region around Rothenberg (ie including what we call Ashkenaz) it's enough
after the grass returned to actually be able to produce cheese and cheese
by then.

> To the best of my knowledge Shlissel Challah was something that was not 
> done by non-Chassidic Jews until Yahadus became Chassidized.  I  
> certainly never have had anything to do with it.  I am sure that it was 
> not practices by RSRH's wife.

So? Does the Chassidish origins of the make it any hard to ignore the
non-Jewish origins than those of some other minhagim? Seems to me
we have a long habit of finding Torah meanings in common practice and
thereby sanctifying them.

Not that I understand how it's mutar...

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             Nearly all men can stand adversity,
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