Tell me more ×
Mi Yodeya is a question and answer site for those who base their lives on Jewish law and tradition and anyone interested in learning more. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 7 down vote favorite

I happen to work in a small village, and I noticed while walking to work that if I were to go along the side of one of the churches here and through the back, I could get to the local supermarket. I wouldn't be saving a huge amount of time by doing so (maybe a couple of minutes at best), but I was wondering if there was a ruling about walking through any part of church property to go somewhere else. The only benefit I would get would be shortening my route to the supermarket, and I wouldn't be using the church at all otherwise.

share|improve this question

2 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Within FOUR AMOT is Asur (In Gemara Avodah Zarah 17 it says that one isn't even allowed to go near the entrance of a house of Avodah Zarah. So explained Tosfot on 17. So explained Rambam on his peirush (Perek 1, Daf 11 Amud 2). And so wrote the Tur (Tur, Yoreh Deah 149). And so wrote Maran (Shulhan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 157). Also the Ritv"a, in his Hidushim (Avodah Zarah 11b). And so wrote the Chid"a (Brit Olam 435), and in (Shirei Bracha, Yoreh Deah 142). So wrote Rav Haim Palagi (She'elot U'Teshuvot, Haim BeYad 26), and he wrote that it's a very BIG sin. So wrote Rav David Zilberstein (Sh'vilei David 154). So wrote Rabbi Ovadia Hadiah (Yaskhil Avdie, Helek 8-20:56). So ruled the Ram"a (Mapah, Orah Haim 156). Also written in She'elot U'Teshuvot Sha'ar Efraim 24. So wrote the Peri Megadim (Shulhan Aruch, Yoreh Deah's commentary 65:45), and see Shulhan Aruch Yoreh Deah 150:1).

share|improve this answer
up vote 3 down vote

Possibly this could be a problem due to "deriving benefit from avoda zara".

There is also a problem with getting up close to a house of a"z worship (See Masechet Avoda Zara 17a).

share|improve this answer
2  
I'm a little doubtful about your first point. The building itself isn't an object of worship, after all, and certainly the grounds outside aren't. – Alex Nov 29 '11 at 18:18
1  
If the church grounds beautify the church, it is prohibited from deriving benefit as נוי ע"ז. Otherwise, the sole problem seems to be the proximity issue. See SH"A Y"D 142. – Barry Nov 29 '11 at 21:29
Good point. But in 142:10 he says that the shade of a church is assur only within four amos of the door - which would seem to imply, then, that walking through the grounds isn't problematic in itself. (And even taking a shortcut through the church itself, he says, is permitted according to some opinions if the church was built on an existing pathway.) – Alex Nov 29 '11 at 22:30
1  
A Church is not necessarily avoda zara - it's a shituf, which is allowed for non-jews. But despite that I learned that it's forbidden. – Ariel Nov 30 '11 at 11:20

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.