Q. The Rov wrote in a number of Teshuvos that the New Year day does not have in our days any religious connotations. There is though many who believe, specially in Latin America that it is linked to the 25th of December and it is the day of Je-sus circumcision. That being the case it should be treated similarly to the 25th?
A. Mov’r, HoRav Moshe Feinstein Zt’l (Igros Moshe, Even HaEzer 2:13) indeed rules that “The first day of the non-Jewish year, 1 January, and American Thanksgiving are not prohibited according to Halachah because today they no longer have any religious significance, but ‘Baalei Nefesh’ or those who are sensible and sensitive, should be strict and stringent on them.
One may argue that in places where New Year still has that significance one should be as strict as the 25th
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Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
