Q. Dear Rabbi. In our troublesome days, when we experience such a rise in hate to Jews so and plain antisemitism encouraged by Muslims, should we engage in the costumes of Halloween that in a wide sense promote friendliness and human friendship?
A. On question 1485 and 3956 regarding a person who is a partner and in charge of a number of large apartment buildings in which there are also some tenants who are Jewish, should he permit as is customary for the Super to give or to place trays of candies for the children of the building that the company pays for, to enjoy during Halloween, if that permitted in Halacha, we mentioned: “We have some Modern Orthodox neighbors that let their kids join the others in the block (many Jewish) and go around collecting candies on Halloween, is that permitted? Should we advise them not to do it? Can we give children that ring our bell candies? To what we answered:
“Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows’ Evening, also known as Allhalloween, or All Saints’ Eve, is a festivity observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. It is widely believed that many Halloween traditions originated from ancient pagan Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, and was Christianized as Halloween by the early Church.
Today’s Halloween customs, are a combination of Celtic, Roman and Christian holidays. In essence, Halloween is not a secular holiday. Halacha prohibits celebrating gentile holidays (Remah Y.D. 178: 1). Even though some gentile holidays today may not be considered idol worship, the law which commands us not to behave in the customs and manners of the gentiles, still applies.
Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is to refrain from letting children join others on their Halloween traditions.
However, if there is an issue of Chilul Hashem, the Rov maintains that you may give candies to the children that visit you.” Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the Super is doing the distribution and if the refusal to give out those candies would cause feelings of resentment
and rancor against the Jewish owners of the building and thus also a Chilul Hashem, it is permitted.
In our troublesome days, if it can promote goodwill and friendship with others, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
