Do Jews Celebrate Halloween?

Is it ethically right for a Jew to celebrate Halloween in America? My family thinks nothing of it, yet a person who I went to camp with may refuse to take part in the festivities of October 31. How far do we go? What is wrong with the holiday anyways? To understand the different opinions, I did some research on the topics. Using ten websites, reoccurring themes started to appear. Most started with the history of Halloween. Some even remarked how it is not even the religious elements that make Halloween displeasing to a Jew. However, Halloween presents "non-Jewish" values. Then, others talked about how Purim is an easy substitute. While adding up the verdict I got: seven no's, two yes's, and one website claimed it is up to personal opinion.

Historically, Halloween is a pagan holiday. Paganism is believing in a non-Abrahamic religion (ie Hinduism, Buddhism, polytheism). Halloween began in Ireland and Great Britain. The holiday was an official end to summer, a harvest festival. It was believed that the dead could rise up on this occasion. Beggars would be traded food to keep away the dead. Indeed, beggars were the first trick-or-treaters. However, paganism declined as Christians dominated the areas around the English channel. Halloween was a remaining element of Pagan culture. The Church decided to incorporate new holidays around the harvest festival. Halloween became the night before All Saint's Day. Like the pagans, Christians felt the dead rose on this holiday. Where do the Jews fall?

When immigration was huge in the early twentieth century, many of these cultures brought Halloween to the New World, particularly the Irish. Halloween became more and more Americanized. By the time the grandparents of today were born, Halloween was more commercial than religious at all. Jews saw the holiday no different than Thanksgiving or July 4th.

Jewish values are quite contrary to the values of Hallow's Eve. Jews value giving and tzedakah (charity). Halloween celebrates demanding and gluttony. Halloween represents death and ghosts. The Torah tells us that believing in magic is a sin against God. Do I sound one-sided? Think about Halloween. We dress up trying to scare people demanding "delights" that destroy our healthy state. Sounds great, right. On the other hand thousands of kids have smiles brought to their faces as candy fills their bags. Why exclude the Jews?

Many websites claimed Jews have a similar holiday. Purim is not the "Jewish Halloween" just as Hanukkah is not the "Jewish Christmas". However, Purim celebrates charity and unmasking ourselves. Esther is proud of who she is, yet we celebrate her triumph by wearing masks, indulging in treats, and watching the spiel. Jews have their fun in March. Does it replace October?

The Torah forbids the celebration of "gentile holidays". Fundamentalists would say that means everything from Halloween to Arbor Day to Boss' Day. Does that mean Jews have to sit out on Turkey Day or sit alone on New Year's Eve? In my opinion, not necessarily. Jews can celebrate the American holidays. We are American after all. Hence, I am going as Waldo this Halloween. To me, Halloween stops at the candy and has nothing to do with Paganism, All-Saints Day, or Death. However, I agree with the one website that said it up to personal opinion. As stated last week, Judaism is a hybrid of beliefs that have morphed over history. As a Jew living in America, I celebrate Halloween. (Share your opinion by voting on the side of the webpage!)

I was very careful about how I said that last sentence. A Jew living in America, not an American who happens to be Jewish. This is my balance. In the diaspora, we must decide where our allegiance belongs. Mine belongs first to God and the Torah, but also to the people of the United States. I am a citizen and a child of Israel. A man of two homelands. Unfortunately, Jews in the Holocaust forgot their religion. They became German or Polish, no Jew. I embrace America and its culture, but also Judaism and its richness.

To conclude, enjoy this weekend. Shabbat Shalom to all who observe the Sabbath and Happy Halloween to all who combine Americanism with their non-Pagan roots.


Works Cited:
"Halloween and Jews?" Being Jewish Web Site. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .


"Jews and Halloween." Jewish Virtual Library - Homepage. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .

Pelaia, Ariela. "Ask the Rabbi: Is It OK for American Jews to Celebrate Halloween?" About Judaism. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .

Goldwasser, Rabbi Jeffery Wolfson. "Is It Okay for American Jews to Celebrate Halloween." About Judaism. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .

Chessin, Rabbi Judy. "Halloween Can Remind Jews to Hallow God's Prescence." Jweekly.com. S.F. Jewish Bay Area, 26 Oct. 2001. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .

Stahl, Rabbi Shmuel M. "Should Jews Celebrate Halloween?" Temple Beth-El, San Antonio, Texas. 27 Oct. 2006. Web. 24 Oct. 2010.

Freeman, Tzvi. "Do Jews Celebrate Halloween? - Miscellaneous." Chabad Lubavitch - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info. Chabad Lubavitch. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .


"Halloween Tradition? - Parenting & Family Issues." Chabad Lubavitch - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info. Chabad Lubavitch. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .

Touger, By Malka. "Negative Commandment 30 - Negative - Jewish Kids." Chabad Lubavitch - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info. Chabad Lubavitch. Web. 30 Oct. 2010. .

Miller, Mark. "Things Jews Find Far Scarier than Halloween." Aish.com. 22 Oct. 2008. Web. 24 Oct. 2010. .