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in reply to a message by Tippins
Would English people be offended if you'd use "Jackson" or Dutch if you'd use "Schuyler". I'm not all that sure if Jewish people would get seriously offended by someone using Cohen. I would not stop using it, just because it's a Jewish surname.
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I don't think the point of the discussion was that Jews would be offended if non-Jews use Cohen simply because it was Jewish. I think the point that was attempting to be conveyed was that the Kohanim were descendants of Aaron who held a special role within the Temple (the Temple is sacred to Jews) and performed duties sacred to Jews, and it would therefore be an affront to the Jewish people to use a name associated with such a history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kohanim
This message was edited 8/23/2008, 1:29 PM
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Okay, that makes a bit more sense. But am I the only one that thinks that there are people that tend to get offended a bit too easily? Anyway, thanks for clearing it up for me :)
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No prob. :) I personally am not offended by someone using Cohen as a firstname, but I'm Reform. I'd love to hear opinions from the Charedim on the matter.
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What I don't get, is that when people use it as a name they think about it as just a surname. I seriously doubt all of the people whose surname is Cohen are necessarily so conscious of what it implies. I had a relative by marriage with this surname who married a Christian and was generally quite secular. I also don't get why Levi isn't considered offensive at this point, aren't Levites also of priestly descent?
I'm not advocating the use of Cohen as a first name btw, offensive or not offensive I find it horrid as a given name.
I'm not advocating the use of Cohen as a first name btw, offensive or not offensive I find it horrid as a given name.
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If we're determining offensiveness using the criteria that has been established for finding Cohen offensive, then Levi would be considered an offending name also.
In regards to Levi, there is some debate that the name has rather sexual connotations, symbolising his mother's hope that Yaakov would...not neglect his marital duties. :)
In regards to Levi, there is some debate that the name has rather sexual connotations, symbolising his mother's hope that Yaakov would...not neglect his marital duties. :)
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It's an interesting question
As a Christian the only name that I find offensive is Calvary (I still cannot believe I found someone who would actually USE it) and that's it. Madonna is a bit...over-the-top but not offensive to me.
I've always stayed away from both names as a sign of respect, merely because of the arguments that a former member made - Miss/Mrs Claire. You might want to search out her posts.
As a Christian the only name that I find offensive is Calvary (I still cannot believe I found someone who would actually USE it) and that's it. Madonna is a bit...over-the-top but not offensive to me.
I've always stayed away from both names as a sign of respect, merely because of the arguments that a former member made - Miss/Mrs Claire. You might want to search out her posts.
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