Chukas Hagoyim or just Hallmark???
Today is Valentine's Day. To be more accurate it's really St. Valentine's Day. Yet Jews all around are wishing each other a Happy Valentine's Day. Is this an issue of chukas hagoyim?
My opinion would be that it's not. In my opinion, Valentine's Day falls under the same category as Mother's Day, Father's Day and Secretary's Day. Which means that I don't have halachic issues with it, I have other issues. I know, I have many issues, very funny.
These "holidays" were not determined by any religious organization or religious group, and therefore I don't see it as a halachic problem, they were "holidays" that Hallmark created in order to boost revenues. Someone at Hallmark had the brilliant idea to create these "holidays" to give people excuses to buy their greeting cards.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to give in to this blatant manipulation. Nobody's is going to tell me when to tell my mother, father or wife that I love them and nobody will tell me when to tell my secretary that I appreciate them. I will do that on my own thank you very much.
Due to the pressures of outside society, I will wish my loved ones the respective wish on their respective special day, but I refuse to give Hallmark a penny of my hard earned money for this venture. On principle!
Next the fashion industry will be telling me how wide my tie should be, or how many buttons I should have on my suit jacket. I am putting my foot down NOW!
That all being said, I do love chocolate, and while I will not post a blog about my love for food, that's been overdone already, I will attach this link to some great chocolate related quotes. I have too many favorites to enumerate, so feel free to check them out and let me know which are your favorites.
My opinion would be that it's not. In my opinion, Valentine's Day falls under the same category as Mother's Day, Father's Day and Secretary's Day. Which means that I don't have halachic issues with it, I have other issues. I know, I have many issues, very funny.
These "holidays" were not determined by any religious organization or religious group, and therefore I don't see it as a halachic problem, they were "holidays" that Hallmark created in order to boost revenues. Someone at Hallmark had the brilliant idea to create these "holidays" to give people excuses to buy their greeting cards.
I'm sorry, but I refuse to give in to this blatant manipulation. Nobody's is going to tell me when to tell my mother, father or wife that I love them and nobody will tell me when to tell my secretary that I appreciate them. I will do that on my own thank you very much.
Due to the pressures of outside society, I will wish my loved ones the respective wish on their respective special day, but I refuse to give Hallmark a penny of my hard earned money for this venture. On principle!
Next the fashion industry will be telling me how wide my tie should be, or how many buttons I should have on my suit jacket. I am putting my foot down NOW!
That all being said, I do love chocolate, and while I will not post a blog about my love for food, that's been overdone already, I will attach this link to some great chocolate related quotes. I have too many favorites to enumerate, so feel free to check them out and let me know which are your favorites.
posted by A Frum Idealist | 2/14/2006 02:54:00 PM
12 Comments:
Yeah, you are trying to fight it but... you can't escape these Hallmark Holidays. They will follow you down by the voice of your loved ones... Bwa ha ha! (Evil Hallmark cackle, lol.)
Honestly, is it so bad to have an excuse to tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them?
Very cute post! Happy V-day!
I agree with frumgirl, its always good to have an excuse or reminder to tell someone you love and appreciate them. Althought Valentines Day is a religious holiday. Not for a jewish person to celebrate.
frumgirl, I know, I know. As I said, I give in to the pressures of outside society. I have no issue with having an excuse to tell them that I love and appreciate them, and I do, but I don't have to support Hallmark while doing it. Thank goodness for online greeting cards.
chaverah, see my above comment to frumgirl, but if you read my post carefully, I say that Valentine's Day is NOT a religious holiday, that's my whole point
FI- you are incorrect. It is a religious holiday. Who do you think St. valentine is????
Actually...if you must..try to buy American Greetings..as it's a Jewish company
:-)
I like the chocholate quotes, like this one "Nuts just take up space where chocolate ought to be."
I couldn't agree more. It never occurred to me to be a Halachic issue over this, but I did think of it as just another commercial holiday, with no meaning but to spend money on things that disappear in a drawer never to reappear.
Check out these comments off of History.com relating to Valentine's Day (which may have christian origins after all)....
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
VERY interestingly, that page on History.com is sponsored by American Greetings. LOL
thanks DM. love steaks and chocolate, just not together. I am not a dark chocolate fan.
I like israeli chocolate. Elite chocolate is yummy and the mekupelet was always one of my favorites.
Mmmm, Mekupelet... Yummy!
Is it really an issue?
Do you know of any frum people that celebrate Valentine's Day in real life?
I never even heard of it before I was teenager.
It's like celebrating Holloween..and definitely has its roots in Christianity...or worse Paganism..
HBJ - if you read the post carefully, you will see that, yes I did acknowledge the day and wish her the wishes, I just didn't support the Big Companies.
Post a Comment
<< Home