We know many have a birthday party when that big day arrives.
What is the Jewish outlook on this?
R’ Tzadok Hakohen (Divrei Chalomos 20. This sefer is a diary of Torah revelations that came to R' tzadok in dreams, spanning nearly 40 years.) writes that a person is at the strength of his Mazel (בתוקף מזלו) on the day he is born and he shouldn’t be afraid on his annual birthday that something bad will come (See also the Karbon Ha’eidah to Yerushalmi Rosh Hashana 3:8, s.v. היה ). A woman in need of surgery posed the following question to R’ Chaim Kanievsky (Derech Sicha p. 174): Should the surgery be delayed in order that it be done on her birthday since the Mazel is strong on this day in addition to it being a day where tefillah is more accepted?
R’ Yisrael Lipshitz (1782-1860), the author of the commentary Tiferes Yisrael on Mishnayos, told each of his family members, in his Tzavaa (ethical will), that all the siblings should send birthday greetings of Mazal Tov on the occasion of their birthdays. He writes further that this custom shouldn’t be stopped, and only if there is an absolute emergency should it be shortened.
The Midrash Seichel Tov says רוב בני אדם מחבבים...ושמחים בו ועושין בו משתה, to most people, their birthday is beloved to them and they rejoice and make a party.
The Ben Ish Chai remarks that there are those who are accustomed every year on their birthday to make it a festive day, and this is a good omen. This is what we are accustomed to doing in our house. R’ Ovadia Yosef writes that when there are Divrei Torah and songs and praises (שירות ותשבחות) to Hashem at a birthday meal, it is a Seudas Mitzva.
When the Chafetz Chaim turned 70 years old, he invited his students—R’ Elchonon Wasserman and R’ Yosef Kahanamen (known as the Ponovezher Rav)—and said the Bracha of Sheheciyanu in their presence and gave them cake and schnapps—שרףיין.
R’ Dovid Chazzan would celebrate his birthday yearly after he reached the age of 70.
R’ Nosson Adler (1741-1800), the Rebbe of the Chassam Sofer, held a birthday party on the 80th birthday of his mother and invited the entire town. For R’ Shmuel Salant’s 93rd birthday, on Rosh Chodesh Shvat in 1909, a party took place at his house with cake. Nearly all of Yerushalayim was there including the Chevra Kadisha, the staff of the Bikur Cholim hospital and the B’datz of Yerushalayim.
