Socializing with Non-Jews: Difference between revisions

#Most hold one is allowed to attend office parties,<ref name=":2">[https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/12/bars-and-office-parties-in-jewish-law-ii/#fn-19570-42 Rabbi J. David Bleich] held that if one was invited to the office party then he would be allowed to go.</ref> but preferably only for business purposes (ex. to receive a salary bonus).<ref>Rabbi Baruch Chaim Hirschfeld, cited in Rabbi Yerachmiel Dweck’s article ''Beiur Inyan Mesibot Shel Goyim'' in ''Yismach Yisrael'' 3, Shevat 5771. Rabbi Hirschfeld argues that the decree does not apply to attending parties for  business purposes because it was only decreed to create social distance (cited in Rabbi Jonathan Ziring's article [https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/12/bars-and-office-parties-in-jewish-law-ii/#fn-19570-47 ''Bars and Office Parties in Jewish Law II''  in Torah Musings]).</ref> Many who are lenient in regard to attending office parties still say that one should not remain at the party for too long.<ref>[https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/12/bars-and-office-parties-in-jewish-law-ii/#fnref-19570-32 Rabbi Hershel Schachter], [https://torah.org/torah-portion/weekly-halacha-5767-miketz/ Rabbi Doniel Neustadt]</ref> Some, however, are strict about attending office parties and say that one may not attend the parties altogether.<ref>Shut Mishne Halachot 7:118</ref>

#One should not attend an office party that has a sign up sheet (or the like) as opposed to a formal invitation.<ref> [https://www.torahmusings.com/2013/12/bars-and-office-parties-in-jewish-law-ii/#fn-19570-42 Rabbi J. David Bleich] explained that one should not attend an office party with a signup sheet. The reason for this is because a signup sheet indicates that attendance to the holiday party is completely optional and, therefore, not attending will not cause one to lose out from a business perspective.</ref>