Minor Holidays with Christian Roots...

...how do you feel about them? I ask because we have two coming up (at least in the US -- I don't know how widely celebrated these are elsewhere): Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day. I know Valentine's Day is the feast of St. Valentine (of whom there is little historical info/evidence), and Valentine's Day was instituted on top of an Ancient Roman fertility holiday (Lupercalia). St. Patrick's Day, likewise, is the feast day of its namesake saint. While it doesn't have the same pagan roots as Valentine's Day, it does celebrate the guy who (allegedly) invented a way to explain trinitarianism. However, like Valentine's Day, it has taken on secular connotations to an Irish culture celebration. (I'm a quarter Irish.)

I haven't really thought about it before -- if I have a Jewish boyfriend, does he do anything for me for Valentine's Day? (Forgive my cluelessness, but does anyone know the norm for this in Jewish communities today?) Apparently there is a Jewish holiday similar to it (Tu B'Av), but I've never heard what people do to celebrate it. I suppose St. Patrick's Day might be less of an issue since it doesn't involve gift giving, but is it acceptable to attend a St. Patrick's Day parade or wear green? However, at the same time, there is definite discomfort since I grew up in Catholic school and got the whole "shamrock-three-in-one" lecture throughout my childhood.

What are your thoughts?

I don't worry about any other holiday that is not Jewish but I do get my husband a valentines day card and my Jewish friends get their husbands cards too.


As to a Jewish boyfriend getting you a card I would just go with what he wanted to do.

My kids do wear green to celebrate the Irish in them.

I am completely able to separate any religious part of these holidays and see them as completely cultural.

Tu B'Av: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Modern_Holidays/Tu_BAv.shtml

My thought is that if it's completely cultural, why not? My favorite holiday is 4th of July because it's so low key and just about family and friends with no expectations. :)

Plenty of Jewish couples do something special on Valentines's Day. I don't see it as a big deal. I'm not exactly sure what people do on St. Patricks day but I wouldn't see an issue with watching a parade or wearing green.