Hilchos Halloween
1) No trick or treating until sundown. This year not before 5:54PM in the NY area. Children may trick or treat earlier for Chinuch, but it’s preferable if they wait until the zman.
2) A scary costume is preferable, but b’dieved, one dressed as a princess or Power Ranger has fulfilled the obligation of dressing up.
3) One who turns off the lights and pretends to be away is not fulfilling the mitzvah of Trick or Treat.
4) Shaving cream used for tricks does not require kosher supervision.
5) If Halloween falls out on Shabbos, trick or treating within the eruv is permissible. If there is no eruv, one still trick or treats, but the custom is to cut a hole in bottom of the plastic jack o’ lantern so the candy goes to waste.
6) To be considered a trick, one must damage property valued at at least one perutah (approx. 5 cents). A trick must also inconvenience the victim by at least 6.7 minutes. In case of emergency, there is a lenient position of 4.8 minutes one may be allowed to rely on. Consult your halakhic authority.
7) The pumpkin should be placed on the top step, to the right of the door.
It is preferable to use a real pumpkin as a jack o’ lantern. B’dieved, plastic is also acceptable.
9) One does not make a blessing before trick or treating, because it is not certain that the homeowner will be home.
10) When giving candy, one must give an amount at least the size of an olive (About five candy corn). Some are of the opinion that it has to be at least the size of an egg. (twelve candy corns). This opinion is preferable.
11) When throwing eggs at cars, one should be careful not to drop any eggs prior to throwing them. Remember, Ba’al Tashchis!