This Friday night begins the secular New Year. If you're someone who celebrates Shabbat every Friday night, then do it again this week. If you're someone who does not celebrate each week, we encourage you to do something to recognize Shabbat this week before you head out and join in on New Year festivities.
A question for Jews is, what about simply wishing your friends a "Happy New Year"? After all, the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, was already celebrated back in September. So you can't really wish them a "L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu" (May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a very Happy New Year). But is just saying "Happy New Year" a problem? Some sources describe the secular New Year as marking the date of the brit milah (circumcision) of Jesus who was born on December 25th. Does saying it mean we are participating in a non-Jewish celebration? Rabbi Buchwald disagrees. He explains that, in his opinion, its okay to innocently wish a person a Happy New Year, or wish them a good year or life. Obviously we should want to celebrate what is Jewish, like Shabbat, and keep in mind that our New Year starts on Rosh Hashanah. We here at Jewish Treats wish you Happy New Year, a Happy Birthday to Rabbi Buchwald, and a Shabbat Shalom!
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