Did Obama Jump the Gun on Rosh Hashana?

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The point isn't the severity of the gaffe, which was minor. The point is the double standard, which this blog entry illustrates perfectly.

B Foster of VA 12:43PM August 24, 2009

One rule for O - he's a black man and President. Another rule entirely for W - that is the way it is. Too bad libs can never admit that. O has made LOTS of gaffes - and according to his job approval ratings, the fawning media ignoring that fact is not lost on Americans anymore. That is okay, Canadian papers and French news, as well as a few Brit news outlets report on these idiots at our WH all the time. Read them. Our journalists have turned into celebrity media.

Laura Brogdon of ME 2:14PM August 23, 2009

Obama Uber Alles? Media Ignore Gaffes In White House Call with Rabbis
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2009/08/23/obama-uber-alles-media-ignore-gaffes-white-house-call-rabbis

StewartIII of MD 12:50PM August 23, 2009

1. Shanah tovah means "Good year" and not "Have a sweet new year."
2. It's not unusual to start greeting even a month before, though not so common. A week before is certainly ok.
3. Yep, this is politics and the media is part of it.
However, just wanted to correct you on the factual side.

Yossi of NY 7:51AM August 23, 2009

This is an issue? The President was speaking to Rabbis about health care and the Jewish New Year. He wished them a "happy New Year," we Jews often wish each other in advance of the specific day. There was no reason to think he was confused about when the holiday began. The President was being polite.
Imagine the controversary if he had spoken on this call and NOT wished participants a Happy New Year!

The Rabbi's Friend of MD 3:10PM August 21, 2009

I f u read the article in other news sources, U would find that there was not a SINGLE Orthodox Rabbi invited!!! Rahm Emanuel knows that Orthodox Jews are basically conservative. We value family & morals . What Obama doesnt get is that the Reform & Conservative movements are inter-marrying. They r a dying breed. While Orthodoxy , thank GOD is growing by leaps & bounds. The president who ran on a platform of CHANGE & bringing us together, is the greatest divider this country has had!!!

Hershy of NY of NY 2:11PM August 21, 2009

the custom is to wish a good year starting with the first day of the month of elul, especially if you are not planning on speaking to someone again it's completely appropriate. Not an obama lover here either, but this is silly.

non of NJ 12:49AM August 21, 2009

Actually, according to Jewish custom, Jewish people wish a sweet new year beginning today the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, one month before Rosh Hashanah. So there's no basis for an article like this calling attention to the greeting as "early". Yikes, as critical as I am of the current political confusion in this country, not everything is something to complain about. That said, best wishes for a sweet new year!!! Shana Tova!

Joseph of NY 12:10PM August 20, 2009

He says anything and thinks we're believing in him. Come now, this is a man who says there are "57" states. At least he isn't carrying on anymore DAILY that he 'inherited' a mess. Look, if it was dealt with properly, any common sense tells you it would be wrong to quadruple the debt and spend more than all the other presidents put together. This moron thinks money grows on trees and he's playing the game monopoly. Constantly mispeaks, spends, b.s.'s, shows arrogance and has definite greed for govt takeover in all areas. Going down in history for 'the most horrible job, 2nd in line of Carter...Simply an embarrasment to the rest of the world. In less than 3 1/2 years we will have a president, not a mispoken, arrogant dictator who trashes the citizens of the US.

Timmy of NH 9:54AM August 20, 2009