X-mass: Gifting, sales and products

I just returned from shopping and realized that the candles I bought are labeled as X-mass candles. I had intended to use them for lighting Shabbos candles. Is this permitted?

Thank you for your question.

The answer: you may use the candles for Shabbos.

The answer explained:

Buying Xmass candles to use for Shabbos candels:

The Shulchan Aruch in two places writes that candles used for a place of worship are forbidden to be used for Shabbos or Chanukah candles.

שולחן ערוך אורח חיים הלכות בית הכנסת סימן קנד סעיף יא

נרות שעוה שנותנם כותי לעובדי אלילים, וכיבן שמשן ונתנם או מכרן לישראל, אסור להדליקם בבהכ"נ.

שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות עבודת כוכבים סימן קלט סעיף יג

נרות ושעוה של עבודת כוכבים, אסורים לנר מצוה דשבת ודחנוכה ודבית הכנסת.

So we see that anything that was used as part of the service by the avodah zarah, even if it was just the candles to light the room, is then forbidden to be used for a mitzvah in a beit haknesset, or, as the Shach adds, to learn Torah using the lights from these candels.

However, the candles that are sold for X-mass can be permitted for use since:

a. They were manufactured with the intent to sell in shops and not intended exclusively for the use of avodah zarah. Therefore, it's permissible to use them even for a mitzvah like lighting the nerot Chanukah and Shabbos.

b. Another reason why they are permitted is brought by the Chasam Sofer in Orach Chaim, siman 52. That the Shulchan Aruch speaks about candles that were used for avodah zarah , we see that the prohibition applies only to those that were actually used. Therefore, those being sold are permitted.

Winter sales:

Regarding buying during the sales, there is no prohibition against purchasing in the winter sales, even if they are advertised as Xmass sales or New Year sales, since this is a completely commercialized concept. However, a Jewish shop owner who wants to hold a winter sale may do so, although it would not be suitable to advertise it as an Xmass sale or New Year sale.

When shopping during the holiday season, it's important to remember that many stores display Xmass decorations and play carols in the background. As such, one should be careful not to admire the decorations or pause to enjoy the music. One should try not to pay attention to them.

Xmass gifting:

To send a new year gift to your boss is permissibleif one feels that they have to, but one should not write it as a xmass gift or new year gift, and one should try to give it before the day of X-mass, The reason why it is permitted is:

The halacha is that generally one may not give a present to a non-jew for no reason for example if he does not know who he is, or has no contact with him, this prohibition is brought in the Torah:

דברים פרק ז פסוק ב

וּנְתָנָם ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְפָנֶיךָ וְהִכִּיתָם הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים אֹתָם לֹא תִכְרֹת לָהֶם בְּרִית וְלֹא תְחָנֵּם

And when the Hashem your G-d delivers them before you and you strike them, utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, nor show flattery to them.

Based on this Passuk, the Shulchan Aruch in Hilchot Avodat Kochavim, Siman 151, Seif 11, writes that one may not give a present to a non-Jew.

שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות עבודת כוכבים סימן קנא סעיף יא

אסור ליתן מתנת חנם לעובד כוכבים שאינו מכירו.

“It is forbidden to give a free gift to a stranger who worships idols”

As emphasized in the Shulchan Aruch, this prohibition applies only when there is no expectation of reciprocation. However, when giving a gift to a business associate, which is an accepted practice either to further or maintain your business relationship, it is not considered a gift given without reason. Rather, it can be viewed as being given with the intention of reciprocation, so it is permitted.

It is important to keep in mind that one may not buy food that is biblically forbidden to eat, such as non-kosher meat, food dishes that was cooked with milk and meat, or non-kosher wine. Since the intention of giving the gift, as explained earlier, is not as a free gift but rather is given with the intention to be reciprocated, this is considered as conducting business—'Mischar'—with non-kosher food, and it is forbidden to do business with such things.

Hatslocho Rabbo.