Question: Dear Rabbi, Do I have to block out any pictures of the sun and moon in my meteorology textbook (and if so how)? Answer: This is a tough… Read more »
Category: Idolatry
New age objects and books (astrology, buddhism and feng shui
Question: Hi I am not a jew. I am catholic but no practicing. I found in Internet several Rabs (Yonathan Galed) and orthodox jew kabbalah masters (Albert Gozlan) and I… Read more »
Photography Of A Buddha
Question: Hi I am a product photographer, now i have a client who wants me to photograph a Buddha. Is it allowed? is it Lekatchilah? Thank you in advance. Answer:… Read more »
Jews and Christmas
Question: Hello Rabbi! I was born and raised in a Jewish home. In college I met a girl that was not raised in a Jewish home. She became interested in… Read more »
Christian gospel music, ok?
Question: Christian gospel music: Assur? Discouraged? Would there be a difference in how clearly the lyrics are associated with Yashka? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch 142-15 writes that it is forbidden… Read more »
May one purchase products made by Amish people?
Question: May one purchase products made by Amish people? Answer: We are allowed to do business with the Amish, the same way we are allowed to do business with any… Read more »
Avoda Zara
Question: I saw this on Wikipedia.(see attached screenshot). Because of this would there be any problem with buying a Mazda? Attached: Attached file 1 Answer: This would not pose a… Read more »
Saying names of Greek gods
Question: May one say names of ancient gods, such as Hercules, Zeus, etc.? Does it make a difference if they are no longer worshiped? Answer: Regarding saying the names of… Read more »
writing merry xmas
Question: Hi. I’m a graphic artist that works for a product display company. We are designing holiday displays and they want me to write Merry Xmas (full word) on the… Read more »
paintings
Question: I got some paintings. Some may have images of angels and people. Also pictures of sun or moon. Is this a problem Answer: Although there is a problem with… Read more »
renting commercial space to a church
Question: Hello, Is one permitted to rent space to a church? I would imagine this would present numerous issues, including (i) deriving benefit from avodah zarah, and (ii) enabling a… Read more »
Concerning listening to non-Jewish music, or Christian music
Question: Listening to Christian music is downright forbidden, and listening to non-Jewish music in general is within a spectrum of being muttar, to frowned upon, to assur depending on the… Read more »
Listening to a song with Christian lyrics
Question: 1) May one listen to a song with Christian lyrics? The song contains strong references to Christianity (e.g. Yoshka being hanged on a cross). Is it allowed to be… Read more »
Toy with a cross on it
Question: My son has a Play Mobile toy on which one of the spears has a cross sticking out of it on top. May my child play with it? May… Read more »
Disposal of messianic prayerbook
Question: What is the proper way to dispose of a messianic Jews for jesus prayerbook with G-d’s name throughout? Answer: Even though it has G-d’s name in it, but since… Read more »
Drawing a “sun”— the parameters of the prohibition
Question: Regarding the prohibition of drawing pictures of the sun (see the several other posts on this amazing website about this prohibition), does it apply in the following scenarios: 1)… Read more »
Shul renting its parking lot to a church next door
Question: Is it a problem for a shul to rent its parking lot to a church next door? Answer: We are not allowed to sell or rent things to a… Read more »
Blowing out candles on a birthday cake
Question: 1) Is it true that the practice of blowing out candles on a birthday cake may stem from avoda zara practices? Is it permitted? 2) How about “making a… Read more »
Typing Out the Word “Ch..st”
Question: I am a frum woman, and I work for a Police Department. I am putting together a substance abuse resource packet that is delivered by Police officers to goyish… Read more »
BUying from a thrift shops that is run by a church.
Question: CINCINNATI SEPT 2017 I have halachic question to ask. One of the thrift shops was run by a church called St. Vincents. They run it just like the thrift… Read more »
Visiting the Amish
Question: Is someone allowed to go to visit the Amish people and ask them questions about their beliefs or is it prohibited because he is investigating another religion? Answer: We… Read more »
Ovdei Avodah Zarah
Question: Is there a concept of tinok shenishbah with regard to goyim who are ovdei avodah zarah? Answer: If the person is a Jew, it is possible that he is… Read more »
Saying you are a goy
Question: If a person makes a wrong turn into an Arab neighborhood (for example) and he is asked if he is a Jew, can he respond “no”? Based on Shulchan… Read more »
Making a “cross” shape
Question: Is there any halachic issue with making a picture of a cross? How about making a straight “t” (some curve the bottom for this reason)? How about shaping your… Read more »
Visiting the vatican
Question: Hi. I am planning a trip to Italy very soon. I wanted to know if I can go to the Vatican and/or the Sistine Chapel. Can you please provide… Read more »
Solar Eclipse
Question: Am I allowed to take a digital picture of the solar eclipse on August 21? Answer: This is an interesting question. You are allowed to take a picture of… Read more »
TV show that contains Idolitry
Question: Is it a problem if I watch the TV show iron fist. It has some stuff related to Buddhism in it. The main character does a lot meditation and… Read more »
Avodah Zarah related game
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 »
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 »