Question:
Dear Rabbi,
I do mold damage restoration for a living.
I have a potential customer (not jewish) that wants me to restore their books that have gone moldy.
They have approx. 465 books. They want me to clean the mold spores and stains and sanitize the books with disinfectant.
Some of these books are Christian books e.g. New Testament Bible and various others
According to halacha, am I permitted to perform restoration works on these books? These books lead people to avodah zarah.
If it’s not permissible, am I allow to pass on the opportunity to a non-jewish restorer for a commission?
Regards
Answer:
It is technically permitted to fix even the problematic books, as they aenot actual avoda zara itself, rather the books of the avoda zara. Nevertheless, it is still preferred to give it to someone else to restore them.
Best wishes
