Problem Yards Our Specialty
rear pew mirror • doug brook
Tile as Old as Time Chinese food is as Jewish as apple brei. But is there any more Asian influence in Judaism than this christmatic culinary custom? Of course, there is. What’s more, like its consumable cousin, today’s topic can be so addictive that just an hour later you’ll be hungry for it again. It’s commonly known that 10 Jews are required in order to hold a service. However, in another room of the synagogue, a different activity gathers groups of four to engage with the same focused intensity as the most manic shuckler at services. This activity is, of course, mahjong — a Chinese tiles game that’s every bit as Jewish as an eggroll. A game so Jewish that it has as many variant spellings as Chanukah.
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A game whose prevalence in Jewish culture — and even in Jewish ritual — became so pervasive that its presence was radically reduced throughout the Jewish world such that nothing remained but the game itself. Until now. Mahjong has brought Jews together as a people for generations. This is reflected in the original version of a popular Hebrew song, currently known as “Hinei Mah Tov.” People today know its words as “Hinei mah tov umanayim shevet achim gam yachad” — “How good and pleasant for brothers to dwell together.” But the original lyric was “Hinei Mahjong Umanayim” — literally “How Mahjong is pleasant…” bringing people together. This particular porcelain pastime was once prominent in Jewish holidays. For example it’s central to one of the most famous Chanukah songs, originally titled “Mahjong Tzur.” Its opening words were once “Mahjong tzur yeshuati” — literally, “Mahjong, rock of my salvation.” What’s more, it’s well documented in numerous lost records that the dreidel was not, in fact, the original A Mahjority of Chanukah toy. Thanks to savvy marthis four-sided top overtook readers approve keting, the holiday’s entertainment from the of this column… four-sided Mahjong table. Lest we think that it’s limited to the less religious holidays, look no further than Passover. As is known, the Passover seder table is typically not square and is usually occupied by far more than four people. This leads the youngest person at the seder to traditionally ask “Mah Nishtana haMahjong Hazeh Mikol haLeilot” — meaning “why is this Mahjong different from all other nights?” As nearly several people realize, most of the seder prior to the meal is attempting to answer that question by, among other things, retelling the Passover story. As the aroma of the meal draws near, there’s an eloquent explanation of three main symbols of Passover: Pesach, Matzah, uMahjong. Mahjong lurks in plain sight throughout Jewish history. One of Judaism’s greatest historic symbols of resistance is a particular mountaintop stronghold that came to a tragic end. Before the thousand Jewish rebels made their final stand against the Romans there in 70 C.E., Herod had built it as a luxurious gaming palace overlooking the Dead Sea, high atop Mount Mahjonga. When modern synagogues host Mahjong tournaments, they hold a special service on the night before. The usual Ma’ariv service is replaced continued on page 29
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July 2026 • Southern Jewish Life