Thanksgiving in Jewish Law

While American Jews have—like so many immigrant groups—heartily embraced Thanksgiving, in some haredi circles the day is shunned or simply ignored. After all, isn’t it possible that the holiday belongs to the category of hukot ha-goyyim, non-Jewish rites forbidden by the Torah? Or is it an entirely rational practice, ecumenical in origin? Or, perhaps, is it a mitzvah to engage in a patriotic observance? And what is the role of minhag (custom), rather than strict legal determinations, in answering this question? This is the subject that Michael Broyde delves into in conversation with Nachi Weinstein, along with other related questions, such as whether turkeys and other New World birds are kosher. (Audio, 48 minutes.)