- Q. Dear Rabbi. This coming Tuesday July 1 (2025) I have the first yohrzait for my father ZT”L, and I'm offering a kiddush in Shul after davening.
Since in my minyan there are attendants that are very patriotic and also celebrate with a great kiddush Canada Day, I wonder if we can join together, after all I’m also making a Siyum and saying Divrei Torah, it may be a Zikuy Harabim (benefit for the many), as they will also be learning some Torah.
Is there a problem with joining the Siyum with Canada Day and saying some patriotic words also?
A. We have had already some similar question for other holidays, as follows.
- 4166 -A Freilechen St. Patrick’s day?
I attend a daily minyan, that as others do, offers an after Shacharit Kiddush with a drink and mezonot. The attendants, before drinking a small cup of liquor, as tradition goes wish each other ‘Lechaim’, Mal Tov, or if it is aYohrzait, ‘The Neshama should have an Aliya’.
On St. Patrick’s day, most likely still deep in the Purim ‘spirit’ an usual attendant offers every year a green full bottle of Irish (kosher) liquor. and with a very comical smile, pours a drink to all and wishes a ‘ Freilechen, (happy) St. Patrick’s day’.
We all understand that it is only a humorous act, but is it permitted in a shul? I do not want to insult him by refusing the drink or the Lechaim. What is the proper thing to do?
Saint Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (for provincial government employees), and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat.
It is also widely celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
From the present day literature explaining the meaning of the day, it seems that in most or the many places mentioned it is not anymore a religious commemoration but a cultural and national identity day.
However, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is, that since it still has a strong religious identity in Catholic communities and special services are offered on the day for many, to avoid insulting the fellow who brought the bottle in “good spirit”, one should answer warmly: “Lechaim to all the Tzadikim, Kedoishim and survivors from this and other similar “Holy days,” Lechaim Tovim Ulesholom.”
See also questions 3390 in regards to Thanksgiving Day, 3494 and others regarding wishing a New Year. May 8, 2023.
Similarly on question -3713 - A Victory Day.we wrote:
Dear Rov Shlit’a is there a problem celebrating Victoria Day by going to a park and watching the fireworks, because of; ‘Lo Telchu Bechukot Hagoyim,’ (following the traditions of the nations)?
A. Victoria Day is not a religious holiday, as is amply recorded. It celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who was the ruling monarch at the time of Canada’s birth as a country in 1867. It’s a day to celebrate all the wonderful things that make Canada the great country it is. Therefore, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that there is no prohibition of ‘Lo Telchu Bechukot Hagoyim,’ involved.
(See also question 3329 regarding that it is also propitious to include the date in a shul or school Luach). May 8, 2023.
In our case, It would seem that it is correct and recommended to do them together, when saying the correct words for the occasion.
Important Numbers
