Is there something inherently wrong with orthodox Jews going trick or treating? Sure you can get into the historical specifics, but you can probably do that with any holiday. Today, halloween is just a fun cheesy holiday to dress up, get frightened, and get some free candy.
The rav of the YI in my office's building sent out an email to his congregants explaining exactly what was wrong with any jew to participate in any halloween observances/activities. I wish I had the email, but it was deleted from my work account.
ReplyDeleteYes there is. See http://www.chabad.org/k11695 for several reasons why.
ReplyDeletehttp://hirhurim.blogspot.com/search?q=halloween
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall a certain article in the fall 2007 RJJ Journal about maypoles at weddings that might shed some light on the issues involved.
ReplyDeleteI guess we've all got the same thing on our mind!
ReplyDeletehttp://materialmaidel.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-halloween.html
Mordy - ;)
ReplyDeleteIt really is a very informative article!
ReplyDeleteWe were actually discussing it today in the context of Pobody's wedding.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. So are there going to be maypoles at her wedding or not? lol
ReplyDeleteNope! :P
ReplyDeleteOk, but what about trick or treating? Can we do that at the wedding?
ReplyDeleteNo, we're doing that at the Shabbos Kallah. :P
ReplyDeleteOh, crap. I just realized that people are going to keep ringing the bell because they think it's a Halloween party going on tomorrow night...
ReplyDeleteWell with THOSE girls you know you'll have enough candy...
ReplyDeletePlease pardon my ignorance, but why can't you use a maypole? Also is it the same as the fancy umbrellas with ribbons hanging off, often used at weddings?
ReplyDeleteA) There is sucha thing as fruit of the poisenius tree, so even if it may not have as much of a connection to its origins as it once had...
ReplyDeleteB) My mother once told me the following: "Do you want to understand the difference between Yidden and much of the rest of the world?...Yidden celebrate Purim, on which we dress up to be happy with each other and we go around giving to others. On Halloween people dress up to scare each other and go around taking from others."
It's interesting how this post connects to the previous one, as I know someone who lets their kids trick or treat because "everyone else around them is doing it" and "how can i say no to my kids when they just want to be like everyone else? how can i deprive them?"
ReplyDeleteAnon - LOL
ReplyDeletewhat the heck is a maypole :P
ReplyDeleteIt is a worthwhile holiday and one of the few times that neighbors get a chance to really see each other.
ReplyDeleteEven assuming that it was ok to trick or treat, most of the candy received wouldn't be kosher, so what's the point?
ReplyDeletetrick-or-treating is about extortion. not very nice.
ReplyDeleteAll Saints and stuff. And--that aside--it is Chukas Hagoyim. And that aside, we actually have our own dress-up day, and--that aside--it's creepy to dress up in purposely scary costumes and put fake dead bodies and headstones in front of your house. Yuck. Did anyone see the little french maid costumes that the pre-teen and teen girls are wearing around on Halloween? I don't know. We used to get trick or treaters in our old neighborhood and they were dressed way more wholesome. We give out candy corns for the record, but now we live in a frummy neighborhood and no one comes.
ReplyDeleteJews should not celebrate Halloween, a distasteful Pagan holiday with Catholic associations that turns children into entitled, insistent, demanding beggars taught that it is okay to take candy from strangers.
ReplyDeletePogroms used to be inflicted on Halloween. We have enough of which to be frightened in our real lives and history.
I do not buy the argument of it being a rare chance for neighbors to get together. If the gentile neighbors felt that way, they'd be sukkah-hopping and attending Purim seudahs.
Why not have an open house barbecue on the secular Fourth of July holiday or organize a regular old block party for one summer Sunday afternoon? Or, you know, just spend more time outside?
I do, however, feel that in a close-knit neighborhood, simply answering the door and giving out plain candy (kosher, of course) and wishing the celebrating gentiles that they should enjoy their holiday is fine.