The Cohen family was on good terms with their Catholic neighbors, the O’Brian’s. In fact, little Yainkele Cohen and Chris O’Brian from next door would play together from time to time. Or at least they used to.
Well, one late December’s day, Tim O’Brian, the non-Jewish father, came storming in to the Cohen’s house holding poor Yainkel by the ear. “Your son is not going near my Chris again; he just has no respect for us and our religion!”
“What’s the matter; what did he do?” inquired Mr. Cohen.
“I’ll tell you” said Tim in a rage. “He saw our Christmas tree and started making fun.”
“He did?” said Mr. Cohen. “What did he say?”
“He saw our tree and started asking all sorts of ridiculous questions – which kinds of pine trees can be used for a Christmas tree? What’s the minimum required height? How close to the window does it need to be? Do too many decorations render it unfit? What if it’s under a neighbor’s balcony?!”