Question: Is it Avoda Zara to learn about Catholicism because I was interested in parts of their religion and wanted to do it, especially catholic confession? Is it Avoda Zara… Read more »
Category: Idolatry
Illusions
Question: Are magic tricks illusions) forbidden as entertainment? Answer: Good question- please see the following links that talk extensively about your question http://dinonline.org/2010/06/22/magic-as-innocent-as-it-seems/ http://dinonline.org/2017/07/07/magic-in-halacha-between-tricks-and-sorcery/ http://dinonline.org/2015/06/29/a-halachic-glance-at-magic/ Best Wishes
Goy praying for yid
Question: My sister is quite sick and there are multiple goyim (catholics) asking to “pray” for her. Is it permissible to let a goy pray for a yid’s refuah shlemah?… Read more »
Is it allowed to read and keep copies of the christian bible
Question: I found on the street booklets of missions to Christianity, Am i allowed to read them / keep them fro educational purposes or am i mechuav to throw them… Read more »
keeping 3d statues
Question: My parents have 3d decorative statues that they received from their parents. They seems to be clearly decorative. My parents are hesitant to throw them away, because of sentimental… Read more »
Should Jews do business with Argentina?
Question: Dear Rabbi, Yes rewards a jew. So does money. Argentina has a coin which depicts a sun. Yireh says I can not possess a coin with a graven image… Read more »
Swimming in a pool in a conservative temple
Question: A conservative shul has a swimming pool with co-ed swimming but has hours for men only. Can a man pay money to swim there during men’s hours? Is that… Read more »
Buying a house with idols/Avodah Zarah
Question: Looking at a house currently owned by a Hindu family. There are rooms in the house that have been set up as shrines to specific idols. While the house… Read more »
Souvenir figurine that might be an idol
Question: When I was in high school one of my friends went on a trip to India and brought me back a miniature statue of Buddha. My parents didn’t like… Read more »
Cow head and large bull head, could this be Ovoda Zara
Question: Hi, I would like to hang a large cow head and large bull head in my kitchen. These are faux taxidermies. They are made of plaster and come in… Read more »
A book of all religions in the world with pictures as well, does it need to be burned, torn up or can it be sold?
Question: A book of all religions in the world with pictures as well, does it need to be burned, torn up or can it be sold? It has a section… Read more »
Using Product with the symbol of the Swiss Flag
Question: Could I use pots by Swiss Diamond Co. It has the Swiss Flag symbol on the underside of the pan as well as on the handle? Thank You Answer:… Read more »
Has a big Rabbi furnished you with an opinion regarding #47211 “Working with a Catholic priest”?
Question: On June 4, 2018 I received a message that included, “I am not sure if this is indeed a concern or not, and I had the point send to… Read more »
Burning sage
Question: Is burning sage to get rid of bad energy avoda zora? Answer: While I am not familiar with this practice so I can’t say that it is avoda zara,… Read more »
Is there any Avodah Zara issues involved in burning incense sticks made in India?
Question: Is there any Avodah Zara issues involved in burning incense sticks made in India? They are sold by www.darshanincense.com Answer: These incense sticks are often used as an offering… Read more »
Muscle testing
Question: Is It Permissible To Do Muscle Testing and/ Or to use A Pendulum To Test what foods allergic to ? And to test what emotional issues a person has… Read more »
Working with a Catholic priest
Question: Dear Rabbi, Of course I realize that many members of the Catholic church have not always treated Jews well. Also I’m aware that many rabbis consider Christianity to be… Read more »
Meteorology book
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 »
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 »