Q&A: Shaving on Independence Day
Shaving on Independence Day
Question
What is the Rabbi's opinion regarding shaving on Independence Day? Is there a problem because it is not a religious holiday? (Was the permission mainly based on the religious dimension of the matter?) And if it is permitted, then does any major non-religious celebration permit it?
Answer
Purim is no more a religious holiday than Independence Day. We were saved from death, or we established a state, and that is what is celebrated. I do not see any reason why specifically religious holidays should justify shaving. Beyond that, this is a custom, and a custom is evaluated according to what people practice.
Discussion on Answer
The sages today also “ruled” that it was a miracle from the Holy One, blessed be He.
So the sages of earlier times were mistaken on the matter? (And your wording implies that you agree the dependence between a miracle and Jewish law is correct.) When I say “For the miracles” on Purim, I believe that there really was a miracle.
The Sages, when they established it for future generations, ruled that Purim was a miracle through the providence of the Holy One, blessed be He, whereas according to your view the establishment of the state was not led by the Holy One, blessed be He, for us. Therefore it is reasonable that Purim would have Jewish laws and would affect Jewish law, while Independence Day would not.