Tuesday Morning Torah – October 31, 2017 | Congregation Torat El - Monmouth County Conservative Synagogue

Tuesday Morning Torah – October 31, 2017

As a child, I always loved Halloween. Between the free candy, the dressing up, and the pumpkin carving- what was not to like?  Admittedly there were a few neighborhood houses that scared me because of the “old people” living in them, and there were houses that I didn’t enjoy going to because they only gave out coins, or raisins- but all in all, Halloween was always something that I enjoyed celebrating! It never occurred to me that some segments of Judaism might have problems with this holiday. Indeed as a young child I remember that my sister once drew a kipa and a talit on our Jack-O-Lantern. After all, he was Jewish.  In short, I  never thought of Halloween as anything but an American holiday where neighbors opened there doors to one another, and shared some candy with kids in cute costumes.
 
And in truth- that is still how I view the holiday.
Around this time of year people will often wonder whether the “rabbi” takes his kids out trick or treating. The answer is an emphatic- yes. Is Halloween rooted in Irish Celtic customs? Yes. Is it also connected to an observance honoring saints? Yes. Is the Jack-o-lantern connected to an Irish story about the interaction between a man named “Stingy Jack and Satan?” Apparently.
Does Halloween have any religious meaning in America today-  No, I don’t think so.
What do we do with a custom that has religious roots that are not Jewish? Can we adapt something that was not historically “ours” in an effort to connect with American culture and heritage? Unlike a Christmas tree or the holiday of Christmas itself, which continues to have religious significance for many, Halloween is devoid of any religious content. If we celebrate Thanksgiving as Jews, whose roots are certainly not Jewish, why would we not celebrate Halloween?
As always, Jews have varying opinions on this subject. Just click here for at least seven different opinions! But for me, in a world in which we are increasingly isolated from one another, and in a time where hospitality and open arms towards our neighbors is scarce, Halloween is something to celebrate.  Ours is a tradition that teaches us to be responsible for our neighbors, to be welcoming to one another, and to work together to bring more joy into this world. Halloween checks all three of these boxes.
Would it be nice if  instead of “taking,” the holiday was also about “giving?” Yes. Admittedly, the Jewish value of tzedakah could be emphasized a bit more on this American holiday. (Consider donating your candy in a few months, making a donation to a hunger organization such as Mazon, or handing out canned goods tonight as well for the kids to donate on Thanksgiving). But in my humble opinion, Halloween is to be celebrated and enjoyed as Jewish Americans.
So enjoy the trick or treating, enjoy the hospitality, enjoy the sense of community- but do me one favor…save your costume for Purim !