Jews & Valentine's Day
Do Jews celebrate Valentine's Day?
Short answer: some do, & some don’t!
The contemporary traditions of Valentine’s Day, such as cards, flowers, and chocolates, may not feel overtly religious, but the holiday's full name, St. Valentine's Day, suggests Christian roots. This raises the question of whether it is appropriate for Jews to celebrate Valentine's Day, considering the holiday's origins and the saint it is named after.
Can Jews participate in "Gentile Rituals"?
According to Rabbi Moshe Isserles (Rama), there are four criteria for permitting Jewish participation in rituals initiated by Gentiles:
- The debated activity has a secular origin or value.
Sending cards, giving gifts, and expressing love through chocolates can be seen as rational expressions of love and appreciation, independent of any Christian roots.
2. The behavior or ritual can be rationally explained, separate from the religious element.
Scholars and even the Catholic church have questioned the Christian roots of Valentine's Day, providing a basis for the second criterion. The historical connection to St. Valentine is not universally agreed upon.
3. The idolatrous origins are so deeply hidden that they have disappeared.
Academic research has disproven the idea that Valentine's Day is derived from the pagan holiday Lupercalia, addressing the third criterion set by Rabbi Moshe Isserles.
4. The activities are actually consistent with the Jewish tradition.
Expressing love and offering gifts align with Jewish tradition and values. Tu B’Av, an ancient day of matchmaking, is cited as an example of a Jewish tradition with similarities to the celebration of Valentine's Day.
A darker reason why some Jews don’t observeValentine’s Day
In 1349, during the Bubonic Plague, Jews faced persecution as they were falsely accused of spreading the Plague. In Strausburg, on Valentine's Day, a horrific massacre took place, with around 2,000 Jews burned alive on a wooden platform inside their cemetery. This dark historical event presents a somber perspective on why some Jews might choose not to celebrate Valentine's Day.
Sources
https://aish.com/horrific-valentines-day-massacre-of-jews/
https://www.jewishexponent.com/differing-jewish-views-on-valentines-day/
https://jewishla.org/whats-the-deal-with-jews-and-valentines-day/
https://jewishunpacked.com/jews-and-valentines-day-the-debate/
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/valentines-day-and-judaism/