Housewarming for a Home Received from Family Members
Question
Greetings, Rabbi! My parents have given us their house, and they have moved to live in a retirement village. After years of wandering in rentals and basements, we now have a house. Are we obligated to have a housewarming ceremony? And if so, can we opt for something smaller?
Answer
Greetings,
There is no obligation at all to have a housewarming ceremony. The housewarming, in essence, is a beautiful custom to begin dwelling in the house with words of Torah, and also with a prayer that blessing and peace will always be present in the house. Even though the house is familiar to you, it is worth it to start this new chapter in your life, as you and your family now live in the apartment as its owners, with Torah study and prayer.
There is also an aspect of gratitude to G-d in the housewarming. However, there is no point in making this a grand and ostentatious party. On the contrary, modesty creates beauty, and it is indeed worthwhile to do something small, and the main thing is to begin the new life in the house with Torah study.
May you live happily in your new home