On the eve of the Jewish High Holidays, ABC columnist Ben Knight writes, in a sophomoric essay titled Oh God, not another holiday,

“If you ask someone in Israel to do something they don’t really want to, they might reply with a Hebrew saying that translates literally as ‘after the holidays’. But its meaning is deeper; it’s the Jewish version of ‘manana’.”

Knight suggests Israelis use the Jewish holidays to avoid work and commitment, which is insulting and nonsensical. Knight manages to insult Mexicans and Jews alike with a single word, ‘manana,’ which in American slang (and presumably in Australia, where Knight comes from,) denotes constant procrastination due to being laid back or lazy. If you’re going to stereotype people, neither laid back nor lazy applies to the Israelis.

This is not just “another holiday.” This week begins the period known as the High Holidays, so called because they are the most important and most solemn of all Jewish holidays. The first of these is Rosh Hashanah, which falls this week and marks the start of the New Year. Next week is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in which we petition God for forgiveness for our sins and indiscretions. Most Jews fast for 24 hours on Yom Kippur. (I did when I was younger. I currently do not.)

No one in my family ever shouted: “Wee hoo! It’s Yom Kippur!”

Knight’s piece might have been mildly humorous some other time of year, though I doubt it. But this week it’s ignorant and ill conceived, bordering on outrageous. Why not take it down, tweak it a bit, and repost it on Purim?

By the way Mr. Knight, any plans yet for Boxing Day?

Tags: ABC, Ben Knight, Jewish High Holidays, manana, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur