Question:
Is taking the plant ayahuasca considered avodeh zara and what if the leader (shaman) is not Jewish (for a Jewish group) and he doesn’t consider ayahuasca as creator but calls it “mother ayahuasca” and the people taking it are allowed to think of it just as a regular medicine is it ok?
Answer:
Hello,
The source of avoda zara does not have to be a Jewish person, as most avoda zara are not from Jews. If it is something related to a claim of having a higher or spiritual force, it would be considered avoda zara. This applies even if the idea is not claiming to have created the world, since it is claiming to be a higher authority I am not familiar with this plant, however from what you are explaining, even if it isn’t claiming to have created the world, (at least that much sense they do have) since they say that eating this plant connect one to a higher force, etc. it should not be eaten. Additionally it is in your best interest to stick as far away from all of this as you can.
Best wishes
