Giving and Receiving “Holiday” Gifts
In the winter of 1996, the company I worked for completed a deal involving hundreds of millions of dollars. The delighted client was very generous in expressing his thanks: at the end of December, he sent each member of the
team – myself included – a case of expensive wine. He meant well, of course, but what on earth was I going to do with twelve bottles of fancy non-kosher wine?
My wife eventually found a liquor store that was willing to take the wine and give us credit in return. Neither of us drink, but we walked away with three hundred and sixty dollars’ worth of kosher liquor, which we served to Shabbos guests for many years to come.
Can we accept and give gifts for the non-Jewish holidays? If we receive non-kosher wine, a very common gift item, or other non-kosher foods, can we re-gift them to non-Jews? With or without gifts, are we permitted to wish non-Jewish co-workers or clients a “happy holiday”?
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