Q. Kevodo Shlit’a. We thank you again for putting so much effort to answer all the most new and novel Halacha questions. I have a Shavuot Shaila one, I’m pretty sure that the Rov has not heard yet.
It is a question of an elderly neighbor who does not have much help as is. He wants to decorate his home in a way that no one else has or yet will, as his grand and great grandchildren who come to visit him for Yom Tov should and will be most impressed and joyful.
He is planing to decorate his home with plants that are not real, yet they are projected by an AI program that projects, presents and displays all over his home the most incredible beautiful plants and trees in the world we know. He has worked out the timers needed and the necessary electrical protection and security to be sure, not to have to do anything during Yom Tov.
Besides he has a Gentile neighbor who will help in case of need. He told me that nobody in history has yet experienced the kind of most beautiful Shavuos decoration. Is that permitted?
A. There are a number of issues that should be comprehended.
First of all, can one use artificial plants to keep that tradition?
On question 89 – “Using artificial trees to decorate a Shul for Shavuoth.” we wrote:
“Q. It is a minhag to decorate for Shavuoth our Shuln with greenery. We avoid using trees, as that would be a tradition of other religions. Does that include artificial trees?
A. There are two reasons for not placing trees in a Shul. One deals with the Biblical injunction against planting trees next to the altar in the Bais Hamikdosh.(see R. A. Eiger notes on O.C.150). The other is indeed the Hagro’s opinion,(mentioned in Chayei Adam 131,13 and Mishna Berurah 494,10), that it is included in the ban of following Chukos Hagoim, or a tradition of other religions. Not all Poiskim agree (Maharsham see Ariel p. 38, that this Minhag does not apply to trees that are always found there), however Igrois Moishe (Y.D. 4,11), quotes Aruch Hashulchan ( O.C. ibid. 6), that this minhag has become today the accepted tradition. Beer Eliahu (O.C.3 p.263) mentions that this may not apply to artificial trees.
Horav shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that it does apply to artificial trees since other creeds also use them in their holidays. However, if erroneously set in a Shul, it is still permissible to daven there.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld, as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a
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