Q. Can one enter a store or mall at the Christmas season when the music and decorations pertain to Christian religious origins? Should one use hearing plugs that play Jewish music then and also wear dark eyeglasses?
A. On similar questions (689 and 690) we wrote:
“Q. Is there an actual prohibition about deriving any kind of enjoyment from Christmas lights? Can one use them for illumination? Can one comment on their beauty?
A. Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 139: 1) rules that it is prohibited to derive any benefit from anything that is part of an idol, its accompanying adornments or embellishments and the sacrifices or offers dedicated to it. However Christmas lights used for decorating stores or other commercial venues are not in our days an expression of a religion or the symbol of a faith. They are more likely to be used as a business advertiser or a marketing promoter and therefore permitted (Shach Y.D. 142: 32)
Additional considerations to be taken into Halachik account are to what extent are the different factions and sects of Christianity considered Avoda Zarah, and if your common Gentile should be deemed in our times a believer in his nominal faith or more likely an agnostic to it. (Chulin 13b, Ben Ish Chai, Parshas Maasei.) A further factor to take into account is if just benefiting by observing is prohibited or not.
Accordingly enjoying the seasonal lights, commercial displays or the Macy’s parade is in principle permitted.
Nonetheless, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that one must always bear in mind what those lights and displays historically represent to our people. We should recall how much persecution and suffering throughout the centuries are imbedded in them, before we decide to enjoy their sight or comment on their beauty.
690 Want to Face the Music?
Q. Is there an actual prohibition about deriving any kind of enjoyment from Christmas lights?… What about benefiting from other Christmas things – like, is one allowed to enjoy the holiday music they play over loudspeakers in grocery stores?
A. See last answer, most of the points apply to music as well. However, some of the tunes played during the season on the radio or in commercial malls and stores may actually be the same religious melodies or songs performed in houses of worship and thus prohibited. (Igros Moshe Y. D. 2: 56 and 111, Avnei Yashfei 153: 5, Habais Hayehudi p.268)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that if you don’t have any intent to enjoy or pay attention to them, you may continue with your activities.”
The Rov added that as is, it is a good idea when possible to listen to Torah tapes anytime anyway.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Yaakov Hirscenterhman, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit'a
Important Numbers
