Merry Christmas, Mrs. Moskowitz

Season 6, Episode 10, Aired

Trivia

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  • Trivia

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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

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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

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  • Allusions

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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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