- Q. (Question in ShuI shiur.) Is it permitted and recommended to celebrate Mothers Day?
A. We Wrote the following Teshuva for Father’s Day:
#5008 – Q. Is there anything wrong with celebrating the recent Father’s Day to honour and give the rightful thanks and recognition to one’s father? Is that not a real great Mitzvah? How about if they openly declare and imply that one always needs to give their parents special attention on every day of the year?
A. Many Poskim and Rabbonim have expressed their disagreement and displeasure with the celebration of Mother’s or Father’s Day for a number of reasons.
Horav Avigdor Miller ZT’L (Toras Avigdor and tape 122 – May 1976) is well known for his prohibitive opinion on celebrating those days, due to Halachic problem of Chukos Hagoyim, or following in the ways of the non-Jews.
He writes: “There’s no question that the American public has been sold an item that was created for the purpose of filling the pockets of businessmen. The American public is the real proverbial gull because no matter what you’ll say about Mother’s Day, it’s a day when people make money. Not only florists! Jewelers and bakers and caterers – everyone is lining his pockets because of Mother’s Day.
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