Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz

Season 6, Episode 10, Aired

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Frasier is forced to feign Judaism when his girlfriend's Jewish mother visits. The charade is further complicated by the apartment's Christmas decor and Niles' participation in a Christmas pageant.
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • Frasier, Niles & Martin pretend to be Jewish (on Christmas Eve, no less) for the Jewish mother of Frasier's newest girlfriend, Faye... with predictable results.

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By Bichlmaier, Jun 10, 2006
    What a laff-riot this episode is! The writing is excellent, and the ensemble cast play off each other with a finesse that comes from years of working together. The quips and bon mots keeping coming and coming! Frasier's newest girlfriend, Faye, has her mother visiting from out-of-town. While Faye doesn't care about religion, her mother wants her to date a Jewish guy, so Frasier offers to pretend he's Jewish for the hour her mother is visiting his apartment. It all falls apart, as it must, when Niles and Martin get involved. Until the truth comes out, though, there's banter, and Feydeau-like carrying on (people going in and out of doors) until the episode is over. Faye's mother is miffed at first at the deception, but forgives her daughter and the Cranes for the deception, and all is well again. Martin and Frasier have a tiff at the end of the episode, but resolve that, too. I only have this on TiVo, now I MUST go buy the Season DVD!moreless

  • When Frasier's Jewish girlfriend's mother visits, Frasier, Niles, and Martin all must pretend they're Jewish, and hilarity ensues.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By RabbiRotes, Sep 29, 2005
    This is one of the best episodes of the series, and that's saying something. The writing and delivery is perfect...especially for/by Niles (David Hyde Pierce). You can't stop laughing the whole time, and you can watch it over and over. This episode can be enjoyed by Jews and non-Jews alike.
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  • TRIVIA (3)

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    • Upon hearing that Frasier was brought up in Seattle, Helen asks if he was "bar mitzvah-ed" there. Although her wording is consistent with a common misconception, the term "bar mitzvah" literally means "son of the commandments" and should only be used as a noun - either to refer to the boy who has reached the age of thirteen, or the ceremony that marks the occasion. Using the term as a verb (i.e. bar mitzvah-ed), as Helen does, is grammatically incorrect.

    • Roz says that she had forgotten that Frederick was "half-Jewish". Although this is a common expression, according to Jewish Law, one cannot be half-Jewish. If one's mother is Jewish, they are Jewish; if she isn't, they are not.

    • In describing his "bar mitzvah" to Mrs. Moskowitz, Frasier mentions that his mohel (pronounced moyl) was present. Even if Frasier didn't have a Jewish wife and a son who was raised Jewish, it is highly unlikely that a man of his education wouldn't know what a mohel was.

  • QUOTES (3)

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    • Roz: I completely forgot Frederick is half-Jewish. Frasier: Yes, between the Crane boy genes and Lilith's contribution, I'm not sure the NFL is holding its breath.

    • Helen: I guess you were bar mitzvahed here? Frasier: Oh yes, yes of course. What a proud day that was. I can still remember reading from the Torah before the ... Rabbi... and the Cantor ... and the Mohel. Helen: The Mohel? Frasier: Yes. Faye: The one who did your circumcision? Frasier: Yes, yes. I just wanted to show him that there were no hard feelings.

    • Martin: I don't know how to be Jewish. Niles: Well, just answer questions with a question. Martin: Like what? Niles: What, I have to explain everything? Martin: Can't you give me an example? Niles: What, I should give you an example? Martin: Are you going to help me or not? Niles: You're saying I'm not being helpful?

  • NOTES (3)

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  • ALLUSIONS (2)

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    • Fiddler on the Roof When Niles is making a toast and trying to feign Judaism, he says, 'next year in Jerusalem', to which Frasier retorts, 'take it down a notch, Tevye!' "Next year in Jerusalem" and Tevye are references to Fiddler on the Roof, a musical about a family trying to maintain their Jewish culture and identity amid the changing times.

    • The title is an obvious play on the 1983 David Bowie/Tom Conti film "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence."

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