Q. Can one who usually greets first his Non- Jewish neighbors every morning, do so during this time of the year with 'Have a Good Year' or 'Happy Holidays'?
A. On question 695 in regard to responding to a “Happy New Year” greeting, we wrote: "Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it is permitted since in our days there is no religious connotation to the greeting. In addition, you may initiate the salute if it generates a Kidush Hashem by displaying good manners.
Ohalei Yakov (p. 20) quotes in the name the Apter Rov Zt”l, the meaning of the Posuk (Tehilim 87:6) “Hashem counts in the script of the nations” as conveying that during their New Year we are also granted retroactively a better Rosh Hashono judgment. Since the differences between the individual conduct during the two celebrations, becomes now widely apparent and evident, therefore a Good Year salute to anyone is not out of place. (Nitey Gavriel – Chanuka p.418)"
The Rov added that greeting with "Happy Holidays," also does not carry in our days a religious connotation, as it is mostly interpreted as joyful vacations.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit'a.
Important Numbers
