Avoda Zara: Difference between revisions
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# Some say that it is permitted to pray in a non-denominational prayer room.<ref>http://din.org.il/2017/08/22/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%A1%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93-%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%93%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%AA/ argues that just like it is forbidden to enter a church it is forbidden to enter a non-denominational prayer room and the entire concept of having such a room is against the first two dibrot that religions are exclusive. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 46 is quoted by Rav Elimelech Bluth that it is permitted to pray in a non-denominational prayer room since it isn't designated for Christians specifically.</ref> | # Some say that it is permitted to pray in a non-denominational prayer room.<ref>http://din.org.il/2017/08/22/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%A1%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%93-%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%93%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%AA/ argues that just like it is forbidden to enter a church it is forbidden to enter a non-denominational prayer room and the entire concept of having such a room is against the first two dibrot that religions are exclusive. Rav Moshe Feinstein in Mesoret Moshe v. 1 p. 46 is quoted by Rav Elimelech Bluth that it is permitted to pray in a non-denominational prayer room since it isn't designated for Christians specifically.</ref> | ||
# It is permitted to sit or walk in the shade of a church.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:10 writes that it is permitted to walk in the shade of a building of avoda zara but not inside or near the entrance. The Shach 142:22 explains that the building wasn't made for shade on the outside of the building so it is permitted. Shach adds that even sitting in the shade of a church is permitted.</ref> | # It is permitted to sit or walk in the shade of a church.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:10 writes that it is permitted to walk in the shade of a building of avoda zara but not inside or near the entrance. The Shach 142:22 explains that the building wasn't made for shade on the outside of the building so it is permitted. Shach adds that even sitting in the shade of a church is permitted.</ref> | ||
==Benefitting from Avoda Zara== | |||
# It is forbidden to look at a beautiful Avoda Zara or even artwork or decorations of Avoda Zara.<ref>Rabbenu Yerucham 17:5, Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:15</ref> Religious artwork which is not meant to decorate an avoda zara and is not served is not forbidden from benefit and can be looked at.<Ref>Shach 142:33</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to listen to musical instruments that are used to play for religious Avoda Zara services<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:15</ref> or even people singing songs in honors of avoda zara.<ref>Bet Hillel 142:2 based on Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:15</ref> | |||
# It is permitted to walk in a place that one might see artwork for the avoda zara or hear songs for the avoda zara as long as one doesn't intend to benefit.<ref>Pesachim 25b, Rama Y.D. 142:15. Shach 142:34 adds that if it is a pesik reisha and inevitable that he will benefit from the sights or songs it is forbidden to go. Since it is possible to close one's eyes and ears it is not a pesik reisha.</ref> | |||
#It is forbidden to play music in front of avoda zara even if one is hired and paid for it.<ref>Darkei Teshuva 142:29 citing Chaim Byad 28</ref> | |||
# It is forbidden to sit in the shade of avoda zara. If one is walking without intending to benefit from the shade it is permissible to pass by in the shade.<ref>Ran Avoda Zara 21a cited by Bet Yosef, Rama Y.D. 142:9</ref> | |||
#It is forbidden to look at icons of avoda zara.<ref>Rivevot Efraim 3:497 based on Zohar 3:84 and Vayikra 19:4. He ponders whether it is permitted even to look at a picture of an icon of avoda zara found in a history book or encyclopedia.</ref> | #It is forbidden to look at icons of avoda zara.<ref>Rivevot Efraim 3:497 based on Zohar 3:84 and Vayikra 19:4. He ponders whether it is permitted even to look at a picture of an icon of avoda zara found in a history book or encyclopedia.</ref> | ||
# It is forbidden to look at and benefit from anything artistic or decorative that is meant to beatify avoda zara. If a person is passing by such art or decorations and one does not intend to look to benefit from it he may pass that way.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:15, Shach 142:34</ref> Some say that he needs to actually close his eyes while walking there.<ref>Chachmat Adam 84:16 understands the Rosh Pesachim 2:2 to mean that indeed the person needs to actually close his eyes from seeing the decorations of avoda zara since otherwise it is a pesik reisha that he'll benefit from it. Halichot Shlomo (Nissan 14:12 p. 80) favors this approach rather than that of the [https://www.sefaria.org/Chofetz_Chaim%2C_Part_One%2C_The_Prohibition_Against_Lashon_Hara%2C_Principle_6.5.3?lang=bi&with=Be%27er%20Mayim%20Chaim&lang2=en Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 6:14)] who permits leaving one's eyes open.</ref> | # It is forbidden to look at and benefit from anything artistic or decorative that is meant to beatify avoda zara. If a person is passing by such art or decorations and one does not intend to look to benefit from it he may pass that way.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 142:15, Shach 142:34</ref> Some say that he needs to actually close his eyes while walking there.<ref>Chachmat Adam 84:16 understands the Rosh Pesachim 2:2 to mean that indeed the person needs to actually close his eyes from seeing the decorations of avoda zara since otherwise it is a pesik reisha that he'll benefit from it. Halichot Shlomo (Nissan 14:12 p. 80) favors this approach rather than that of the [https://www.sefaria.org/Chofetz_Chaim%2C_Part_One%2C_The_Prohibition_Against_Lashon_Hara%2C_Principle_6.5.3?lang=bi&with=Be%27er%20Mayim%20Chaim&lang2=en Chafetz Chaim (Lashon Hara 6:14)] who permits leaving one's eyes open.</ref> | ||
==To Save Your Life== | ==To Save Your Life== | ||
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==Owning Symbols of Other Religions== | ==Owning Symbols of Other Religions== | ||
See [[Drawing_or_Sculpting_Forbidden_Images]] | See [[Drawing_or_Sculpting_Forbidden_Images]] | ||
== | |||
==Related Links== | |||
* [http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/822409/Rabbi_Ezra_Schwartz/Avodah_Zarah_in_the_Western_World Rabbi Ezra Schwartz (Avoda Zara in the Western World) on yutorah.org] | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
[[Category:Avoda Zara]] | [[Category:Avoda Zara]] | ||
