Re: Celebrating American holidays

sgrams (sgrams@zephyrnet.com)
Thu, 31 Jul 1997 09:08:49 -0400

Dovid Rockove wrote:
<< Reb Moshe has answered the question regarding
Thanksgiving. Since it is a holiday of religious origin, one may not
celebrate it. He even says one should not schedule a wedding or Bar Mitzvah
for that day. The same should apply to any holiday that has religious
origin, (x-mas, etc.) >>

This statement is not correct. Reb Moshe has repeatedly stated that
Thanksgiving is in fact not a religious holiday. The position of Reb Moshe
is presented in the Igros Moshe Y.D. IV #12 and Orech Chaim V #20.6 and
Y.D. IV #11.4 as well as Even HaEzer II #13.

He writes in Orech Chaim V #20.6 (the new volume). "In regards to
Thanksgiving, I have already written Even HaEzer II #13 that according to
the straight law there is no basis to prohibit a celebration of any event
on this day, e.g., Bar Mitzva or wedding - but a Baal Nefesh should be
machmir (more strict). But to make a celebration and meal in honor of
Thanksgiving this should definitely be prohibited. Not because there is a
concern that it will appear as celebrating a religious holiday - because
this is not a holiday established by a religious group for religious
reasons..."

Daniel Eidensohn