Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org) is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world around us -- and then presents answers from each of the dominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi Wolpoe serves as an Orthodox member of their Panel of Scholars, offering answers from our perspective.
This post is part of a weekly series on the Nishmablog presenting the questions to which he responded and the answers that he gave.
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Question: What is the Jewish view on celebrating "saint or spirit based" days like Halloween or the upcoming Valentines Day? By now they are more commercial than pagan. Is there a problem in either Jewish law or custom?
Rabbi Wolpoe's answer
Let's start simply with 3 factors
Stage 1 - Origins
In the days when these holidays where celebrated as religious observances - no question that they were outside the Halachic Pale. This is well-documented in Talmud Avodah Zoro and the corresponding Rambam Hilchot "AKu'M"
Stage 2 - Renouncement
When an idol worshipper renounces his idol, that idol reverts to being profane, secular. It is permitted for most uses - although it may never be used for any holy ritual purpose
Aspect 3 - Hashkafah or "Spirit of the Law"
Even when Halachically permitted, a former idol may carry "spiritual baggage" thus - while being technically permitted does not necessarily make it desirable.
No doubt Holidays such as Halloween, Ground Hog Day, Valentine's have morphed into something secular. The questions remain
A How complete are those renouncements? IOW are witches still stirring their cauldrons on Halloween?
Also
B. How much Pagan or non-Jewish overtones remain?
It seems to me that a Valentine's Day card or flowers to one's spouse is fairly innocuous. Maybe passively watching a Mardi Gras parade as entertainment is less offensive to the "spiritual" aspects of the law. OTOH, trick-or-treating dressed as a ghoul or goblin seems to me more sketchy.
At any rate, any participation for the sake of assimilation is questionable and not desirable, even when not outright forbidden.
However, there are some areas where innocent participation may do no harm. It would always be a good idea to Weigh Community Standards and to consult one's Spiritual Leader
Shalom,
RRW
Sources:
Talmud Avodah Zara
Rambam Mishneh Torah Hilchot AKu"M
Stage 1 - Origins
In the days when these holidays where celebrated as religious observances - no question that they were outside the Halachic Pale. This is well-documented in Talmud Avodah Zoro and the corresponding Rambam Hilchot "AKu'M"
Stage 2 - Renouncement
When an idol worshipper renounces his idol, that idol reverts to being profane, secular. It is permitted for most uses - although it may never be used for any holy ritual purpose
Aspect 3 - Hashkafah or "Spirit of the Law"
Even when Halachically permitted, a former idol may carry "spiritual baggage" thus - while being technically permitted does not necessarily make it desirable.
No doubt Holidays such as Halloween, Ground Hog Day, Valentine's have morphed into something secular. The questions remain
A How complete are those renouncements? IOW are witches still stirring their cauldrons on Halloween?
Also
B. How much Pagan or non-Jewish overtones remain?
It seems to me that a Valentine's Day card or flowers to one's spouse is fairly innocuous. Maybe passively watching a Mardi Gras parade as entertainment is less offensive to the "spiritual" aspects of the law. OTOH, trick-or-treating dressed as a ghoul or goblin seems to me more sketchy.
At any rate, any participation for the sake of assimilation is questionable and not desirable, even when not outright forbidden.
However, there are some areas where innocent participation may do no harm. It would always be a good idea to Weigh Community Standards and to consult one's Spiritual Leader
Shalom,
RRW
Sources:
Talmud Avodah Zara
Rambam Mishneh Torah Hilchot AKu"M
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