I am told by reliable sources that Agudah Moetzes member and current Rosh HaYeshiva of Ner Israel, Rav Aharon Feldman only keeps one day of Yom Tov when he is in Israel. That is unlike most other Orthodox American Jews - like myself - who keep two days (Yom Tov Sheni) same as do all Orthodox Jews outside of Israel.
There are some Poskim that say ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’ This is in fact what Lubavitch and some Left wing Orthodox rabbis say is the rule. When in Israel, keep only one day. However, the vast majority of Poskim. rule to keep the 2nd day too, just as they would back home.
So why keep two days at all? It was established at a time when there was uncertainty about the exact calendar day outside of Israel. There was a possibility that the calandar was off by a day. That’s because it relied on court appointed witnesses to the new moon.
Their testimony was then sent by messenger to all parts of Israel. By the time their testimony went beyond Israels borders it came late. In order to assure that observance of Yom Tov was on the correct day, the rabbis established that two days were to be observed.
When the calandar we have today was firmly established in the days of the Geomim (the period immediately following the Talmudic era) and the populace no longer had to rely on the testimony of witnesses to the new moon, the need for a second day was Eliminated
So why then do we observe 2 days of Yom Tov today outside of Israel? Because once the practice was established by previous generations of great rabbis, we are required to follow the laws they established. Even though the reasons no longer apply.This is a principle known as, ‘Minhag Avoseinu B’Yadeinu’ the custom of our forefathers is in our hands. The rationale given for this is that if the calandar ever gets ‘lost’ then we might end up celebrating Yom Tov on the wrong day again.
One might have thought, OK. I understand why we still need to keep 2 days of Yom Tov outside of Israel, but when actually in Israel, why keep two days?
I’m not exactly sure what the answer is, but I think it has something to with making sure that the 2 day habit is not somehow broken once outside of Israel.
Whatever the case may be, the majority of non resident Orthodox Jews visiting Israel for Yom Tov, keep a second day there.
So much for the Halachic portion of the post.
As I have mentioned on previous occasions, Observing Yom Tov Sheni in Israel is the least favorite part of my trip. It is an extremely strange experience Watching the most religious Charedi Jews in the world driving around in cars, playing music on the radio and all other manner of ‘weekday’ activity, while I am on my way to Shul on Yom Tov Sheni to Daven with the rest of the foreign tourists.
Very strange to see my very Charedi son running the microwave when I’m making Kiddush in the Sukkah.
But that is nothing compared to what happens on the Yom Tov Sheni of Simchas Torah.
After spending the previous day with Israelis celebrating it on Shemiini Atzeres with hours and hours of mostly young Yeshiva students dancing with complete abandon oblivious to the time, I have to do it all over again on the second day. It is as though the foreign Yeshiva students need to prove they are even more exuberant about simchad Torah than are Israeli students! All while Israelis are fully back in their weekday mode with Sukkos behind them as a pleasant memory.
As I say every year, I am not a dancer and do not enjoy in the slightest - watching a bunch of Yeshiva students going around in circles for hours and hours singing religious songs at the top of their lungs until they lose their voices.
My guess is that Rav Aharon Feldman doesn’t have much patience for it either. And that’s why he only observes one day of Yom Tov.
How is it possible that an American Rosh HaYeshiva of such high stature does not do what the vast majority of other Orthodox Jews do?
Good question. I have been told that he spoke to Rav Elyashiv about it - telling him that even though he lives in the US, he spends all Religious holidays in Israel. It is also true that prior to his becoming Rosh HaYeshiva, he had been living in Israel. And if understood correctly, he still has his house there. Based on that he asked R’ Elyashiv if he has to keep Yom Tov Sheni. R’ Elyashiv said he didn’t.
Nice Kula (Halachic leniency) if you can get it.
To all of my readers and commentators - have a great rest of Yom Tov.
