Do Noahides celebrate secular holidays?

QUESTION: Do Noahides celebrate secular holidays (for example U.S. Independence Day, Labor Day, Canada Day, etc.)?

ANSWER: Noahides may definitely participate in nationally designated days that serve as a reminder and encouragement to praise and give thanks to the One True G-d. Examples in the U.S. are Thanksgiving Day and the National Day of Prayer. Celebrating secular activities and commemorating historical events, even if they involve a festive meal, are also permissible for Noahides. An example is the Independence Day of your own country, such as July 4th in the U.S.

The same applies to observance of days that are designated by one’s nation to strengthen logically incumbent precepts or to improve the settled nature of the society. Therefore, one may especially honor parents on Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Certainly, people should support national days for doing acts of charity, goodness and kindness, or an Education and Sharing Day.

This also includes days to honor national heroes, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Presidents’ Day in the U.S.

Similarly, Noahides may participate in days like an Arbor Day to highlight environmental responsibility. However, a person must not approach this as an idolatrous concept of worshiping the earth or trees. Likewise, one must not make environmentalism into a religion or a radical movement.

Of course, Noahides should not celebrate national holiday observances that involve idolatry.

Note: The chapter on the prohibition of making a new religion or adding a commandment, in “The Divine Code” explains the guidelines for Noahides regarding Torah or non-Torah holidays. Please also see our Forum thread on “Optional Observances for Noahides” and our web page https//asknoah.org/essay/noahide-holidays

For our MP3 audio clip on celebration of secular and Jewish holidays, CLICK HERE.