Do Jews recognize Thanksgiving??

Question

Dumb question, I know, but since it's a secular holiday I just had to ask.

I don't know if it is appropriate to wish my boss, who is Jewish, a "Happy Thanksgiving!"

The only reason I ask is because last year I got into ALLOT of trouble for using the words, Merry Christmas or Blessed, etc etc ......

Even though it was a "dumb question" thank you "Jamesmom" for answering this dumb question.

By the way, as a Christian, I was only trying to be mindful and respectful of others' beliefs.

Thank you everyone (minus the one) who answered my question with knowledge and class.

I really appreciate it and wish ALL OF YOU a VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!!! You're the best!

Answer 1

Yes it is not a religious holiday. My friend who is orthodox celebrates it every year.

Answer 2

It's not a dumb question at all. Thanksgiving is actually an unusual case, and the subject of intense debate among halakhic (Jewish legal) authorities. Some "secular" holidays, observant Jews are absolutely prohibited from observing. Consider the fact that technically, Christmas is a "secular" holiday in the United States. Halloween today is a secular holiday except maybe for Wiccans, but is equally prohibited to Jews.

The bottom line is that you will get varying opinions about Thanksgiving, about whether, for example, it is permissible to eat turkey with all the trimmings on this day, when the gentiles are doing it as well. I hold by a relatively liberal psak (halakhic ruling) that it is permissible. However, it is not "recognized" in as much as it is not a part of the Jewish calendar, and treating it like a true holiday isn't really allowed (don't worry - we have a few dozen to compensate, and giving thanks is a central theme in most of them, so I think we'll survive). But I'm all for an excuse to eat a turkey dinner with the family (if my family were Sabbath-observant, we'd have big fancy family meals twice a week, but that's not gonna happen).

So yeah, whether or not "happy thanksgiving" will mean anything to your Jewish boss depends on him/her, but it's not like saying "Merry Christmas," and I would be surprised if it offended him/her. When people wish me a thanksgiving, I just smile and return the gesture.

Answer 3

Thanksgiving isn't really religious. It's a national holiday! I think the Jews have some different traditions and eat different foods, but they still celebrate Thanksgiving! So go ahead, wish your boss a Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! (gobble gobble)
Abby

Answer 4

Yes, we celebrate Thanksgiving! After all, it is derived, ultimately, from OT injunctions to thank G-d for a good harvest.
(As a child, I always *assumed* it was a Jewish holiday, sort of an autumn equivalent of Pesach. )
Yes, it's okay to wish your boss a Happy Thanksgiving.

Answer 5

though the term - thanksgiving - began as a religious one, what we now celebrate is an american holiday,not a religious one, in honor of those who settled there differences at the harvest table, many years ago. jewish people are american citizens so, wish away. gobble gobble

Answer 6

Yup, Happy Thanksgiving is fine. When someone wishes me "Merrry Christmas" I always respond, "and Happy Chanukah".

Answer 7

it is a USA holiday; not a religious one , but a national one ;and yes it is fine to wish him Happy Thansgiving ; it is a holiday for every citizen of the United States of America

Answer 8

Jews recognize it and can celebrate it because most of the food is kosher and not against rabbinical law

Answer 9

I think they do. My freind is Jewish and she celbrates thanksgiving.

Answer 10

you said it was a dumb question and I agree with you a thousand percent

it is very dumb