LEV200 May Jews, then, celebrate their birthdays at all? Part of being Jewish is remaining distinctively Jewish in beliefs and actions. Therefore, the Torah forbids imitating the customs of foreign cultures [this verse]. The Mishna also associates birthday celebrations with non-Jewish kings who worshiped idols, and therefore forbids Jews to make a celebration on the day the king celebrates his birthday (Mishna Avodah Zara 1:3 with Rashi and Rabbeinu Chananael commentaries). After much discussion in the Talmudic and post-Talmudic period about the precise implications of the Averah/sin, the Code of Jewish Law rules that any custom that was entirely pagan or idol-worshiping in origin is forbidden to Jews, even if the custom is no longer even religious today (like celebrating Halloween, for example). Similarly, if the original reason for the ritual or custom is unknown, then it is similarly forbidden (since it might have had pagan origins). However, if the custom has legitimacy in and of its own, without pagan ideas, then even if non-Jews originated the particular practice, it is not forbidden to Jews (like hairstyles today or wearing a suit) (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 178). Would this Jewish law forbid or permit celebration of birthdays today by Jews? Although the specific rituals may have been pagan in origin, the celebration of the birth of something or someone is not unique to idol worshipers (as was demonstrated above in sources and will be expanded upon below). Thus the idea of celebrating a birthday in and of itself is not pagan in origin and would be permitted from that perspective. However, the specific rituals that are associated with birthday celebration may be questionable. The use of a cake, even a round cake, does not necessarily signify the pagan origin, as many celebrations involve the baking of cakes (and a round cake is simply the standard, not due to the shape of the moon). However, the use of candles, (especially the blowing out of candles) and attaching magical powers for wishes to these candles is certainly questionable from the Jewish perspective. Therefore, one modern Rabbi forbids the use of candles in Jewish birthday celebrations (Rabbi Avrohom Blumenkrantz, "The Laws of Pesach" (2002), p. 206). Specifically, Jews are never supposed to blow out candles, since King Solomon has taught that a candle represents a human life that should never be extinguished by blowing it out (Kaf HaChaim (Palagi) 31:25, Proverbs 20:27).