Question:
Dear Rabbi,
If you have a chess set or chess pieces that are on display in your house, I have read in several sources that it is best to break the cross off of the king in order to avoid idolatry symbols.
In this case, would it be okay to just break part of the cross, so that perhaps there is a T-shape or a straight line remaining, or must one remove every bit of the cross?
What about chess books? Must one remove the pictures of crosses on the front cover using a pen? What about inside the book? Removing the crosses inside the book would be impractical since there are thousands of them, I am not sure if one is even required to do so.
Your guidance would be appreciated. Thank you for your help.
Shalom.
Answer:
Hello,
The cross is only meant as a symbol, and not used as an avoda zara. Therefore, it is sufficient to cut it in a way that it no longer resembles a cross, even if the whole thing isn’t removed.
Best wishes
