Question: I was paying this game which had a story of the creation of the world with different figures that helped create the world in this game. This is inspired… Read more »
Category: Idolatry
Teaching Yoga in a school?
Question: There are a number of types of yoga all of which come from Hinduism and definitely include spiritual teachings that contradict the Torah. Almost always such spiritual teachings come… Read more »
Can a Jew sell property in Israel to a Druze?
Question: Are Druze considered ovdei avoda zara or may one sell Israeli property to them? Thanks Answer: We may not sell land or an apartment in Israel to a gentile…. Read more »
Religious worship place
Question: Shalom aleichem, Is it allowed to go to place where other religious pilgrimage takes place, yet not attending the pilgrimage spot or the church. ex: if there is a… Read more »
Picture of sun
Question: Can I go to the website, weather.com if it sometimes has the symbol of the sun and moon. I’m not planning to print them. Thank you! Answer: The poskim… Read more »
University chapel lectures
Question: The university I attend holds various different lectures in the university chapel (I am assuming the reason is that it is a big room.) Is it a prohibition to… Read more »
Making or taking an image of the sun
Question: Is it permissible to take/own sunset/sunrise photos? Is there any difference between an image of the whole sun or partial sun? Answer: You are bringing up a very good… Read more »
X-mas and honoring non Jewish Parents
Question: Hello! My wife was not raised in a Jewish home. She went through a full conversation over 7 years ago. We have a Jewish home and are active in… Read more »
May I be part of our office’s holiday party
Question: Is it permitted to attend the office ‘holiday’ party? Everyone knows what holiday this is for. Answer: A Jew should not take part in such a party, because it… Read more »
In halacha are you allowed to say J.., or Chri.. or J. C.
Question: In halacha are you allowed to say Jesus, or Christ or Jesus Christ Answer: The way you worded the question is correct, in haskafa we don;’t wanrt to say… Read more »
Are you allowed to join Liberty Healthshare for your medical expenses?
Question: this org was originally started by Mennonites who are Christians. They accept all people regardless of religion into their healthsharing group. You have to believe in G-d of the… Read more »
Allowing a Muslim to pray in my house
Question: A Muslim worker in the middle of working in my house one day stopped and asked me if I could give him a room where he could pray. I… Read more »
Children’s Artwork and Avoda Zarah
Question: I made the attached piece of art in 1st grade- public school. It was well received by the school principal and hung in the school until when it was… Read more »
A moon with Facial Features and Stained Glass image of Moon
Question: 1. Am I allowed to paint a moon with facial features and five pointed stars? 2. I have made a stained glass scene of a man wearing tefillin and… Read more »
Photographing Jewelry with a Cross
Question: Hi, I am a product photographer, One of my clients gave me between other several pieces of jewelry a necklace with a Cross [Tzeilem], Am I allowed to photograph… Read more »
Home with Christian Icons
Question: Hello, I often need to visit a family who is Orthodox Christian and they have a lot of icons in their home. They are pictures of Jesus and saints… Read more »
Idolatry by Child in Home
Question: If my child is choosing idolatry and living in my home, what are my obligations? Answer: It is not clear what exactly your child is doing. Is he/she bringing… Read more »
Statues and Figurines
Is there an issue of having a statue, for example having statues with no religious significance (i.e. the wall st. bull) on one’s desk or at home. Likewise, is there… Read more »
Donation to Church
I have non Jewish Co-Worker who often asks for a donation for her church, to the point where it makes me uncomfortable to say no. I see her every day…. Read more »
Basic Jewish Beliefs
1)How comes Jews no longer practice polygamy? 2)In modern Judaism, can a Jew married more then one wife? His he allow to marry more then one wife, in other words…. Read more »
Digital Photo of Moon
Shalom Can I make foto of the moon by digital camera and post it in internet? Is there isur mideoraisoh or miderabonan? If it possible – please show a source… Read more »
Business Before Holiday of Non Jews
Dear Rabbi I always want to do the right thing and I want to ask a shaila about having my hair done in honor of Shabbat on Friday. I was… Read more »
Classes at Catholic University
I attend classes at a Catholic university, there are crucifixes in every single room (with a body of you know who on all of them, whether that makes a difference… Read more »
Business with Catholic Church
is it l’halacha allowed to do bushiness with a catholic church? like providing them with IT systems or phone service? Answer: Yes, this is not providing them with material for… Read more »
Thyroid Patch
i have a thyroid problem and i cant take medications due to sensitivity.i was told by a holistic practioner that i can wear a thyroid patch. This patch is charged… Read more »
Amish Mishkan Model
Can I visit a model of the mishkan, which was constructed by Amish people? Answer: As long as they are just describing the Mishkan and not adding on their beliefs,… Read more »
Bobblehead Dolls
Hello, Is it okay to give my modern orthodox mentor a bobblehead doll of Rabbi Akiva as a gift to put on his desk at work? Thanks, Answer: Yes, this… Read more »
Bowing to Japanese Emperor
I have a bit of a wild question, which doesn’t have any real practical significance–I’m really just curious. I know that there is an specific issur of performing the action… Read more »
Good Luck Charms
Is it wrong for a Jew to say “I’m keeping my fingers crossed” for good luck? And if so, is there a Jewish equivalent to crossing fingers? I’m waiting to… Read more »
Teaching Christianity to Non Jews
Hello If one teaches non jews children in a classroom setting may she teach about different customs that Christians do i.e. bunny’s and eggs easter time, church and Santa on… Read more »
Alternative Medicine
Hello, is irodolgy permitted in judaism? what about reflexolgy and acupuncture? (or are these derived from a”z practices?) thanks! Answer: The alternative healing methods you mentioned are permissible. They are… Read more »
Gift of Army Knife with Cross
I would like to gift a Jew or non jew a Swiss army knife that has a non Jewish symbol ” a cross” which represents the swiss flag, Can it… Read more »
Saying Christmas
Is it permitted to say the word “christmas”? Answer: This is permitted. Although it is not permitted to say the name of idols and gods, in this case the reference… Read more »
Renting Property for Christian Funeral Service
May one rent out a funeral room out to goyim that will have church services in it during that time? Answer: Yes, one can be lenient for this. Sources: The… Read more »
Jewish Celebration of Thanksgiving
Sholom Harav, I have a couple of questions regarding the American Holiday of Thanksgiviing and Chukas Akum.(A Disclaimer: I cannot necessarily follow the Rav’s ruling but please try to respond)…. Read more »
Halacha of Selling Christmas Decorations
Is a Jew allowed to sell kratzmach stuff on Amazon? Answer: Yes, this is permitted. Although the decorations are used on trees etc. the pagan origins of these customs have… Read more »
St. Mary’s
1.Can you refer to a school saint Mary’s by that name ie in terms of mentioning the avodah zorah or for eg the place Saint Louis 2. I asked the… Read more »
Games with Shinto Mythology
I own a video game where the premise of the game is you are playing as a goddess in Shinto mythology. The deities are made to be animals (a wolf,… Read more »
Halloween in Halachah
Shalom Rabbi I am a Baalat tshuva whose family is secular, Every year my children go trick or treating and even though Halloween is not a Jewish holiday they just… Read more »
Mezuzah Case with Human Image
Is it forbidden to have a mezuzah case which has an image of a human being on it? Certainly there is no intention of Avodah Zarah in these cases but… Read more »
Entering Church for Jews
Firstly, Moadim l’ Simcha Why is it prohibited for a Jew to enter a Church? Does this same prohibition stand also when visiting as a tourist? Chag Sameach. Answer: For… Read more »
Entering Church Basement for Jews
Hello, I was curious if the prohibition of entering a church extends to going to areas of the church that are not used as the sanctuary for 12 step program… Read more »
Selling Inscribed Pen
I am a Jew and I sells on amazon, am I allowed to sell this item? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002T2QUBA/ Answer: Yes, this is permitted. Whether Christianity is considered idolatry or not depends… Read more »
Selling Christmas Decorations
Hi, Your assistance on this matter would be much appreciated. My family currently own and operate a chain of toy stores. We have a business opportunity to acquire a chain… Read more »
Selling Watch with Cross (Idolatry)
Is it permitted for me to sell online a wrist watch with a cross on the face and band of the watch? Answer: Yes, this is fine, and there is… Read more »
Relying on Signs and Omens
BSD Hi I had a shaila on an article on the website about nichush and omens in halacha. http://www.dinonline.org/2013/08/03/of-signs-and-lots/ I was confused on the Halacha le Maaseh . If one… Read more »
Converting Church to Shul
My kehillah has recently purchased a building for its shul. Until now, davening took place in rented accommodation, the lease for which is due to expire, with no prospect for… Read more »
Sun Costume
A nursery was putting on a play and the children are dressed up as the sun, moon, and stars. Is making childrens costumes (3 dimensional items) made to look like… Read more »
Prohibitions for the Jewish Artist
What is a Jewish artist not allowed to create? Sculpture, painting, etc. Answer: Sculptures cannot be made of people (this applies to the head and face alone, and also to… Read more »
Removing Caps for National Anthem
Hi, Before a sports game in the USA the custom is to sing the national anthem. During the singing the custom is for the players to remove their caps and… Read more »