Using Torah or Secular Dates?

Ask the Rov: Is there a problem with using the secular date on an invitation?

By Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin – Rov of Anash in Petach Tikvah

In discussing Jewish dates, there are three different counts: the month, the year, and the day of the week.

Traditionally, Yidden only used Torah months to mark dates, and many pointed to the Torah’s instruction to choose Nissan as the “first of months” as an injunction not to use another count. Based on this and concerns of association with avoda zara, some poskim opposed using the secular date at all.¹

Yet, most poskim accepted that there is no prohibition to refer to the secular date when necessary. The Rebbe lists the Rama, Chasam Sofer, and R’ Akiva Eiger as having referred to the secular date,² and notes the accepted custom among frum Yidden in America to use it when needed. Indeed, the Rebbe dated checks and signed certain English letters that included the English date.³

When a yeshiva bochur dated his letter with the secular date, the Rebbe expressed great surprise at this, noting that the very same day, he recited the Shir Shel Yom where he counted the days of the week in a manner that brings to mind the holiness of Shabbos.⁴

Although Yidden have used various counts for the year — including a count to secular monarchs — the current secular count counts from Yoshke’s birth.⁵ While some are particular to use only the last two digits or add l’misparam (“to their count”), the accepted custom is to use it when needed (some explain since the count isn’t accurate⁶).

However, it is preferable to preface the Yiddishe year when possible, to indicate that the secular year is not our primary count, and the abbreviations BC/AD should certainly not be used.⁷ When the Rebbe saw a secular date on matzeivos of Anash, he was very displeased and used strong words about it.⁸

While the Ramban instructs referring to days of the week by their count to Shabbos, this isn’t the accepted practice.⁹ Yet, the Rebbe opposed highlighting Sunday as “the day off” (since it’s only merit is due to Christianity). If necessary to schedule then, it could be simply noted as a day when children are home from school.¹⁰

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From The Weekly Farbrengen by Merkaz Anash