- Q. I work in a store that decorates at this time of the year with Christmas decorations and plays that music. What should I do?
A. On question 4598 we wrote:
Q. One walking or driving during this December time of the year, when the houses, stores and streets are decorated with the seasonal Christmas decorations, since it is almost impossible to avoid looking at them without crashing or stumbling, can one derive the unavoidable pleasure involved? How about listening to the music being played in stores or buses etc. and enjoying it?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that indeed one should avoid as much as possible being in the above sites, streets and stores during this time of the year and looking and enjoying those decorations.
However, since after all, during the whole year one faces “Tznius” and sensualist improper exhibitions and advertising, and one has had to learn to gain control, the similar should be done during this season.
On question 3504 we were asked :
“Our children on this time of the year, when they walk Shabbos evening to or from shul, often like to stop, gaze and enjoy the uncanny and sometimes stupefying Christmas decorations of our non Jewish neighbors.
To what we answered: “Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that obviously you have to stop your young children from gazing and admiring those Avoda Zarah decorations. It is best done while explaining to them the truth of what they stand for.
But instead of punishing or being severe against the children, that may indeed have the opposite effect, one should try ‘Letzanusso D’ Avoda Zarah’ (Megila 24b) or making fun, ridiculing and using derogatory jokes towards it. That will likely be more effective.”
We should add that the Shach (Shulchan Aruch 142: 15), based on Tosfos and the Rosh, writes that it is permitted to derive benefit from decorations that are not directly used for idolatrous practices and that one is only prohibited to stare at ornaments that are on the idol itself. Other ornaments that are set up for decorative purposes but that are not themselves worshiped are permitted.
Important Numbers
