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From
<a href="http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#A10" eudora="autourl">
http://www.tfdixie.com/special/thanksg.htm#A10</a><br><br>
<font size=4><u>Conclusions</u></font><font size=3> <br><br>
Applying these halachic rules to Halloween leads to the conclusion that
participation in Halloween celebrations -- which is what collecting candy
is when one is wearing a costume -- is prohibited. Halloween, since it
has its origins in a pagan practice, and lacks any overt rationale reason
for its celebration other than its pagan origins or the Catholic response
to it, is governed by the statement of Rabbi Isserless that such conduct
is prohibited as its origins taint it. One should not send one's
children out to trick or treat on Halloween, or otherwise celebrate the
holiday. <br><br>
The question of whether one can give out candy to people who come to the
door is a different one, as there are significant reasons based on<i>
darchai shalom</i> (the ways of peace), <i>eva</i> (the creation of
unneeded hatred towards the Jewish people) and other secondary rationales
that allow one to distribute candy to people who will be insulted or
angry if no candy is given. This is even more so true when the community
-- Jewish and Gentile -- are unaware of the halachic problems associated
with the conduct, and the common practice even within many Jewish
communities is to "celebrate" the holiday. Thus, one may give
candy to children who come to one's house to "trick or treat"
if one feels that this is necessary. <br><br>
See the above URL for more.<br>
<hr>
And then there is this *true* story about Rav Pam. (I add the word
"true," because in the past some have questioned its
veracity.)<br><br>
<b><u>Rav & Rebbitzen Pam and Halloween<br><br>
</u></b>My father-in-law studied in Rav Pam's shiur in Mesivta<br>
Torah Vodaas for several years back in the 1960's.<br>
<br>
When my wife's older sister became engaged in the 1990's, my in-laws<br>
took my (future) sister-in-law and my (future) brother-in-law over
to<br>
meet Rav and Rebbitzen Pam & receive their beracha and good
wishes.<br>
<br>
What's the most vivid memory they all have of that evening?<br>
<br>
It was October 31st. In contrast to the many Jewish homes around the<br>
Pams who had turned off their lights to discourage
trick-or-treaters,<br>
the Pams left their front light on.<br>
<br>
While they all chatted with Rav Pam in the dining room, his
rebbitzen<br>
was in the kitchen working the hot-air popcorn popper and preparing<br>
plastic baggies of popcorn to give out with a smile to all the local<br>
non-Jewish kids who knocked at their door.<br>
<br>
They all left that night with numerous smiles, berachos, and best<br>
wishes from Rav Pam and his Rebbitzen - but what they all remember<br>
most is the powerful lesson the Pams taught them about interacting<br>
with their neighbors.<br>
<br>
Rabbi Akiva Males<br>
Harrisburg, PA<br><br>
See comment number 4 by Rabbi Males at
<a href="http://matzav.com/rav-rebbitzen-pam-and-halloween" eudora="autourl">
http://matzav.com/rav-rebbitzen-pam-and-halloween</a><br><br>
YL<br>
<br>
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