You may continue to find me at Pool of Bethesda if my column is no longer up to date at Suite. Though many Jewish children go trick or treating on Halloween, this practice is considered by many orthodox and Messianic Jews, as well as rabbis, educators, and ministers from across denominational lines, to be a practice not to be encouraged.Note that Suite is revamping, and the present way all articles are presented will no longer be after October 31. I do not know if my column, Messianic Judaism, will be return by me or not. In the meantime you may find me atPool of Bethesda at Geocities. Thank you for your support in the past.
Why is this? Halloween is a harmless, fun time for little kids and big kids, right? Hey, not so fast, spooky. The origin of this night of gools, goblins, ghosts, and ghastly sights brings to light a holiday of supposed fun that is steeped in the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain.
Halloween originated with the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain, a day on which the devil was invoked for various divinations. The souls of the dead were supposed to revisit their homes on this day and the autumnal festival acquired sinister significance with ghosts, witches, hobgoblins and demons of all kinds said to be roaming about. In the early Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church instituted All Hallow's Eve on October 31 and All Saints Day on November 1 to counteract the occult festival. It did not work. All Hollow's Eve was simply drafted into the pagan celebration of Samhain. (Source: World Book Encyclopedia).
Rabbi Michael Broyde explains in an out of print, though relevant, article whether knocking on doors for Halloween treats is a harmless pastime or an halakhic, a prohibition in Jewish Law. Whether or not Halloween is permitted to be celebrated by Jews requires that one first explore its origins. In doing so, one comes to the conclusion that Halloween, unlike Thanksgiving, is steeped in religious beliefs that are not in keeping with Judaism, therefore celebrating Halloween with pagan costumes, parties, bobbing for apples etc., is prohibited. If one has the time and inclination to further his knowledge of this aspect of Jewish law, Rabbi Broyde's article is worthwhile. In its conclusion he deals with whether or not it is appropriate for the Jewish community to hand out candy to those who knock on their doors. The answer is yes, candy may be distributed under the principle of darkhei shalom, the ways of peace, to lessen dislike of the Jewish people and for other lesser reasons. Therefore, it is permissable to hand out candy to costumed children for trick or treat night, but not participate otherwise.
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