Question:
Among motorcycle riders, there is a custom of attaching a bell to the bottom of their bikes to ward off the "road gremlins." If someone wants to get a bell, knowing full well it's a joke and that there's no truth to its "power," but does it for the "shtick," is that allowed?
Answer:
Hello,
There is a mitzva not to go in the ways of the gentiles. Included in this are any custom that the gentiles do that either has no reason, as it may be rooted in avoda zara, or is for no reason and promotes promiscuous behaviour. If the gentiles do it for spiritual reasons, then Jews should not be doing it, as it may be associated with avoda zara. Warding off negative forces, although we don’t believe in them and to us it is a joke, nevertheless we should not do it, because it is a custom that gentiles do that may have an association with avoda zara.
Best wishes
Sources:
שולחן ערוך יורה דעה הלכות חוקות העובדי כוכבים סימן קעח סעיף א "אין הולכין בחוקות העובדי כוכבים (ולא מדמין להם). (טור בשם הרמב"ם) ... הגה: וכל זה אינו אסור אלא בדבר שנהגו בו העובדי כוכבים לשום פריצות, ... או בדבר שנהגו למנהג ולחוק ואין טעם בדבר דאיכא למיחש ביה משום דרכי האמורי ושיש בו שמץ עבודת כוכבים מאבותיהם".
