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Is it a problem for a Jewish person to be a fan of a non-Jewish sports figure? Since there is an issur of "lo sechonem" -- not to praise a gentile for his prowess or other attributes?

(I suppose being a "fan" would certainly bring someone to praise this particular sports figure.)

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    +1, but sourcing "there is an issur of 'lo sechonem' -- not to praise a gentile for his prowess or other attributes" would improve your question.
    – msh210 ♦
    Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 14:52
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    It would seem he did so in his answer (though I haven't looked it up).
    – Double AA ♦
    Commented Oct 18, 2012 at 15:07
  • Related: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/14324/1569
    – b a
    Commented Oct 19, 2012 at 0:09
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    there is a Teshuva from the Tzitz Eliezer that is maarich on the Issur and heterim for Lo Sechonem. Tzitz Eliezer Chelek 15, Siman 47
    – Ari
    Commented Feb 7, 2017 at 4:08
  • halachatopics.blogspot.com/2014/03/… see the end of this article where there are various sources, including Rav Belsky, which address this issue.
    – user14472
    Commented Mar 24, 2017 at 14:32

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The pashut answer is that seemingly being a "fan" would include speaking of the praise of this non-Jewish sports figure (specifically to admire his strength and abilities) then it would fall into what it says in SA YD Siman 151 Sif 14 and therefore ossur. Of course says over there if he's doing it with the kavana to be m'sheba'ach HaShem and give thanks for creating such a "sports figure" then perhaps it would be another story. I posted the question though to see if anyone else has more insights into this particular shailo or this halacha in general that would be worth sharing.

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  • I've heard this answer explicitly b'shem R' Moshe, but I don't know where he says it.
    – DonielF
    Commented Mar 24, 2017 at 14:56

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