Halloween?
10/31/2024 04:26:21 PM
Oct31
I have mixed feelings the ways in which many American Jews have adopted, and even embraced Halloween. Its original roots are at odds with our tradition. It is a mix of Christian and pagan practices, with a healthy sprinkling of American commercialism. In Catholicism, November 1 was “All Saint’s Day” and vigils for the dead would be held the night before. Meanwhile, the same night was observed in Celtic culture as a night where spirits, fairies, the souls of the deceased, and various dark forces roamed the land, and they would either be propitiated with offerings of food, or imitated.
Our Jewish tradition feels very strongly that we should not adopt the rituals and practices of other religions. At the end of this week’s Torah portion, we are introduced to Abram, and the first things we learn about him are that must distance himself from the idolatry of his home country. The legal sections of the Torah, in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, are quite forceful in saying that Jews are not to copy the practices of our neighbors including witchcraft, conjuring the spirits of the dead, and any supernatural connections other than God.
That is not to say that Jews have not had cultural exchanges with their neighbors. We have embraced Thanksgiving because its approach is well-aligned with Jewish values (and actually possibly originated with Sukkot). Hanukkah, a relatively minor holiday, has picked up some of the gift-giving, décor, and other accouterments of Christmas. And many Jews observe Christmas Eve, not with vigils or services, but with a movie and Chinese food.
Many will make the argument that American Halloween has become a secular holiday. Whatever religious or pagan roots it may have had have been drowned in a sea of commercialism. The kids who are out trick-or-treating tonight are focused on having fun and getting candy and not intending to pray for the souls of deceased saints or (I would hope) summoning demonic forces. When I was growing up Halloween was more widely associated with vandalism and violence which are definitely not compatible with Jewish values, but that seems to be less true in 21st century suburban Atlanta.
Some rabbis continue to speak out forcefully against Halloween. Others have even embraced it. A few years ago, when it fell on Shabbat, one of my colleagues held a “Challah-ween” Shabbat service with costumes and candy. As for myself, I have retained my commitment not to partake, but have realized the futility of making myself a party-pooper for everyone else I know.
That being said, I do wonder what would happen if we were really going to recast Halloween as a Jewish fall holiday:
It would happen on a different, seemingly random date every fall, somehow too early and too late at the same time, right in the middle of six other holidays. Pumpkins would cost $40 (with palm branches included) but they would not be kosher if the stem fell off. If you had more than one Jack O’ Lantern, you would have to light from the left, adding additional one each night. There would be all kinds of obscure rules for trick or treating-- if you planned to egg or TP a house, you would have to check all the eggs for blood spots and tear all the toilet paper before the holiday. You would have to display the candy on a special plate and read a whole book describing the symbolism of each before you could eat any of it. On the other hand, there would be second day Yom Tov (at least in the diaspora).
Still, I think there are some lessons to be taken away. I always wonder: how would our world be different if every night of the year, those who were truly hungry could feel comfortable coming to any door, anonymously, knowing that they would be fed with good cheer?
Mon, April 28 2025 30 Nisan 5785