[Avodah] Are Upsherin and Bonfires Taken from the Gentiles?

[David Riceman]

kennethgmiller at juno.com wrote:
> On the other hand, there is also the possibility of taking something which was originally objectionable, and "kashering" it, infusing it with kedusha and new meaning. Like the kashering and toveling of a kitchen utensil, this is done by carefully removing the tumah and objectionable aspects, and replacing them them with kedusha and proper kavanos. Offhand, I can't think of any good examples of this. I invite the chevra to suggest some. But the cynical side of me suspects that all the examples will turn out to various kabbalistic and/or chassidic minhagim. In fact, this whole paragraph, this whole idea of kashering a pagan practice is beginning to sound a bit modern and odd. Perhaps someone can suggest an example of this which predates the Zohar.
>   
How about reclining at the seder?

David Riceman