What About chr'istmas?
Divine Code for September 20, 2022
Today: Page 186
Topic 10:1 -- 10:3
I will focus in this blog on topic 10.2.a because there are often many questions about it, in a separate blog on topic 10.2 b-c
The most common question is: may I celebrate ch'ristmas with my family?
It is forbidden to take part in gatherings, on festival days, that are organised for the purpose of celebrating, worshipping or remembering an idol.
It is permitted ("Permitted" means that the Torah laws for non-Jews are not violated. But it does not imply that the act is "recommended") when it is a long-standing tradition, in which there is no worship or thanksgiving to an idol.
It is permissible even for a Noahide - not a Jew - if the minority of the assembly is involved in an idolatrous service, but the majority is not, IF it would lead to discord if the Noachid were to refuse to attend.
The majority or minority mentioned has to do with the activities that are held. For example, a short prayer to an idol just before the celebration begins would be a minor factor. But continuous or frequent acts throughout the celebration, which are connected with serving or praising the idol, are forbidden, even though they may cause a quarrel.
When people give each other gifts out of habit, they may participate in them, but this tradition is discouraged because it strengthens the idolatrous tradition.
It is permitted when one fears that one's family will be angry or when one fears reprisals if one does not participate. For then one merely flatters the idol-worshipper and does not attend out of acceptance or recognition of the idol. But each individual is forbidden to participate in any form of celebration or prayer in which the idol is mentioned.
In practical terms, this means that one can go to the celebration - if one fears negative hostility - but one does not sing, pray or participate in the sacrament.
Reading schedule the Divine Code
Yesterday: Topic 9:17 - 9:19
Tomorrow: Topic 10:4 - 10:10
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
The Divine Code by rabbi Moshe Weiner
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