The Rebbe On Thanksgiving and Its Lesson for Us

Thursday is the national holiday of Thanksgiving, celebrated in the United States and a number of other countries worldwide. What is the Rebbe’s view in regard to Thanksgiving? Are Jewish people allowed to celebrate it? 

By Harav Yosef Braun – originally posted on the ‘Ask the Rav’ website

What is the Rebbe’s view in regard to Thanksgiving? Are Jewish people allowed to celebrate it?

Halachically, Thanksgiving is not similar to other non-Jewish holidays. This holiday is not based on a specific religion and one who celebrates it does not transgress the prohibition of “going in their statutes”.

Nonetheless, one should not establish it as a fixed holiday annually, and some say that a Ba’al Nefesh should be stringent and not celebrate it. So writes Igros Moshe in Even Haezer 2:13. (See also Igros Moshe Orach Chaim vol. 5, 20, 6; Yoreh Deah vol. 4, 11, 4; and Yoreh Deah vol. 4, 12). Mishna Halachos (vol. 10, 116) rules that it is forbidden to celebrate Thanksgiving, but many Poskim disagree with this position.

There is a Farbrengen of the Rebbe on the 19th of Kislev 5747 talking about the meaning of Thanksgiving and the lesson one can learn from it. The Rebbe did not say one should celebrate Thanksgiving, but mentioned the lesson in our lives how to serve Hashem. Nonetheless, from the context of the Sicha, it appears that the establishment of this day as a day of Thanksgiving has positive merit as it is associated with thanks to Hashem.

VIDEO: The Rebbe on Thanksgiving

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Discussion
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  1. Here are links to the full audio of the sicha
    https://www.chabad.org/554396

    Here is a link to an English translation of the sicha
    https://www.sie.org/2508109

    The Rebbe is talking about Public Menorahs. (Also about “A Moment of Silance” in public schools). Challenging the warped thinking of those (Jews?) who were opposing the placement of Menorahs in the public square.  Citing the so-called “separation of church and state”.

    The Rebbe points out the very foundation of the USA was based on the belief in G-d, they established holidays to Thank G-d (Thanksgiving).  Put “in G-d We Trust” on the currency etc.

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