Festive Wreath on Front Door
Question
Today my wife mounted a green wreath on our front door. It looks like the attractive wreaths hanging on many front doors in our neighborhood. Fortunately, it does not feature holly berries.
I question whether this wreath is permitted. I feel that it is reminiscent of pagan practices. I know we are not supposed to follow the practices of the nations, and I can’t help feeling that this wreath has a pagan symbolism that I don’t know.
I would appreciate learning whether this wreath is permitted, and if not, what the relevant halakhah is. Thank you very much.
Answers
According to the Halacha, such a wreath is forbidden. A wreath on the front door is a Christian symbol and has no place on the door of a Jewish home. The wreaths are used to observe the time of the year called Advent, which commemorates what they claim is the birth of Jesus.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team
My wife is now very upset to hear about this. She insists that the wreath is a pre-Christian decoration, and that this is not a Christmas wreath per se. She has blown up and is refusing to speak with me. I have been soft-spoken about this issue, but she is furious. How can I handle this?
I am so sorry that anything that I wrote caused any ill-feeling between you and your wife and I apologize profusely. Whilst it is true that the wreath precedes Christianity its origins are pagan. In all events, in my humble opinion, the only viable option that you have is to not say another word to your wife about wanting to take the wreath down and let her leave it up. Hopefully, that way you and your wife can revert back to your previous loving relationship.
Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team