Worship of foreign deities, one of the three cardinal sins.
4
votes
2answers
400 views
Who was the first to worship an idol?
A while back I asked a question about whether Cain was an idol worshiper (something I long suspected), and the answer seems to indicate that he probably wasn't (notwithstanding the fact that he wasn't ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Video games with god-like characters - Avodah Zara?
I found some answers on this site about if playing certain kinds of "Idolatrous" video games constitute avoda zara, such as Virtual Avodah Zara
and While playing a computer game, may I "worship&...
2
votes
1answer
141 views
Is the Arya Samaj's version of Hinduism avodah zarah?
According to Judaism, non-Jews can only be regarded as righteous if they follow the seven Noachide laws:
Not to worship idols.
Not to curse God.
To establish courts of justice.
Not to ...
1
vote
0answers
56 views
Judaism's view of pagans/polytheists [duplicate]
How does Judaism view pagans or polytheists? Will they be burnt in hell for eternity like what Christianity and Islam say?
-5
votes
1answer
191 views
If One Considers Chabad to be Avodah Zarah What Kosher Products Should He Avoid?
If one were to consider Chabad to be a religion of Avodah Zarah because of their practices regarding the Rebbe as Mashiach, what otherwise marked "kosher" products should one avoid that are Chabad-...
2
votes
0answers
34 views
Was Nebuchadnezzar's statue an image of Daniel himself?
The third chapter of Daniel brings the story of how King Nebuchadnezzar erected a statue made of gold for the people of the land to worship. (Ultimately, this is the story of how Hananiah, Mishael, ...
3
votes
0answers
44 views
Do idolaters pray to God?
A long time ago I read that our Sources say, "It is forbidden to disturb an idolater praying to his idols because, although he does not know it, he is praying to God." Is this accurate and what is the ...
3
votes
1answer
89 views
Making an image of G-d in your thoughts
Over and over again we read about the prohibition of idolatry in the Tenach.
In the first place G-d commands us not to make any physical image of Him, or anything that represents Him. On the other ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Death over sins & idolatry for gentiles?
As we know there are certain sins a Jew cannot commit like murder or idol worship. A Jew should rather die than commit these sins. Does this apply to gentiles as well?
0
votes
0answers
75 views
How is Atheism considered a form of idol worship according to R. Donin?
In the book, "To Be A Jew: A Guide for Observance in Contemporary Life" (Rabbi Hayim HaLevy Donin), it states:
"I do not hesitate to call atheism a form of faith too, not very different from many ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
May one immerse in a body of water that was used for baptism?
Is there a problem with a Jew immersing him/herself in a mikvah or river area (such as the area in the Jordan River) that was previously used for avodah zarah, e.g. for baptizing? I am talking about ...
2
votes
0answers
41 views
Does Hashem create a Michshol?
There is a Jewish law forbidding putting a michshol, a stumbling block, in front of a blind person. This is extended also to mean that one should not lead others into sin, including providing the ...
2
votes
2answers
413 views
Why is asking for a bracha allowed?
It seems that it has become a universal Jewish custom to ask for blessings from tzadikim/talmidei chachamim. So I'm assuming this practice is allowed.
There seems to be levels in how people treat ...
2
votes
1answer
142 views
What are examples where you would need to give up your life to ‘idolatry’ today?
What are examples where you would need to give up your life to ‘idolatry’ today? כדת ודין
that could actually occur
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Do good christians go to heaven when they die (Gan Eden)? [duplicate]
Will Christians have a share in the world to come if they truly did not know that Judaism was true, and were brought up with Jesus their whole lives? And can that same concept be applied to atheist as ...
4
votes
0answers
83 views
How could we bring korban pesach in egypt if it was served as a deity?
It says Shemos 8,22:
הן נזבח את תועבת מצרים לעיניהם ולא יסקלנו - "If we sacrifice the god of the the egyptians won't they stone us?" (Translation based on Rashi and Onklus)
Rashi on Vayikra 1,2 - ...
2
votes
0answers
31 views
Showing respect and love for someone or things without worship but with the knowledge it's a deity or considered/treated as one in the eyes of others
Bowing is considered as a way to show respect, that's why one could bow to a king (Melachim 1:1:23) or why the brothers of Yosef bowed down to him (Bereshit 42:6).
We dance with the Torah on Simchat ...
1
vote
0answers
42 views
Are Pictures On The Wall Idols? [duplicate]
My home is void of anything resembling an image in the likeness of G-ds creation.I see pictures of dead family members and more inside homes of others. Is this not idolizing the dead? I feel finding ...
2
votes
0answers
50 views
Egyptians not turning to their gods?
We read about a couple of "sorcery contests" between Moses and Egyptians, first turning the rods into serpents and then through the first plagues.
Some well known facts:
Egypt was a land of idol ...
1
vote
1answer
745 views
Can I wear a Pentagram T-shirt?
Can I wear a T-shirt with a 5 sided pentagram on it? It's usually associated with Wiccans/Satan so it's seems like there might be some kind of issur here, though I can't think of one.
1
vote
0answers
46 views
How was Matisyahu's murder justified
According to sforim chitsoynim, Matisyahu murdered an unarmed villager in Modin. I believe this tale is repeated in Rabbinic sources, perhaps the Medrash, because I was taught it in Yeshiva. My ...
4
votes
1answer
86 views
Is there a problem with saying/writing Antiochus Epiphanes?
Inspired by this question: Shulkan Arukh Yoreh De'ah 147 lists the prohibition to mention the name of a foreign deity (see also)
Epiphanes means "God Manifest" in Greek. It is unclear to me if ...
1
vote
1answer
86 views
Is it permitted to visit a Druze dominant area?
I was wondering if its permitted to visit a Druze dominant area, as sometimes when I go to Israel with my family we go there and now since becoming more observant, I'm not so sure of the rules so not ...
3
votes
1answer
123 views
Anger is a form of idolatry
I recall reading once that when one is hit with a stick that one does not get angry at the stick. This lesson went on to explain that because everything is G-d's will that the man who cause you harm ...
3
votes
0answers
124 views
What was the Talmudic and Rambam view on Hinduism (from idolatrous point)
India is mentioned in many ways in Talmud and clearly our sages had extensive trade with India, for example Kohen Gadol's garments and Ketoret ingredients see Mishnah and Talmud dealing-with-indian-...
0
votes
0answers
118 views
No Talmud and Rambam fear of Indian idolatry?
India is mentioned in many ways in Talmud, and clearly our sages had extensive trade with India, for example Kohen Gadol's garments and Ketoret ingredients see Mishnah and Talmud dealing-with-indian-...
1
vote
2answers
191 views
Is it required for observant Jews to not associate with one who has rejected Judaism?
I have observed that Orthodox Jews seem to withdraw from those who were once "frum" (observant) but are now secular. Are they obligated to do so?
How are we to understand the parable in which God ...
6
votes
1answer
137 views
Is it allowed to say the country name “El Salvador”?
שולחן ערוך יורה דעה סימן קמ''ז says that it is forbidden to even mention the name of an עבודת כוכבים. Assuming that "Jesus" counts as this, is one allowed to say the name of the country "El Salvador"?
...
5
votes
1answer
90 views
Virtual Avodah Zara [duplicate]
My nephew showed me a new video game of his, Zelda: Breadth of the Wild. It's a massive action adventure game.
The relevance of this game to MY is as follows. Part of the game involves collecting ...
4
votes
1answer
54 views
Why does specifically searching for a white chicken for kapparos “resemble the Amorites”?
The Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, Sief 131 Siman 1, they make note of the prevailing custom to select a white chicken for use in the Kapparos ritual, based on a passuk in Sefer Yeshayah.
.וּבוֹחֲרִים ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
Is the worship of idols a kind of magic or witchcraft?
Is idolatry considered a kind of magic or witchcraft?
If a person involved in idol worship gained some result, say the healing of someone through praying to the Christian deity, would it be ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
Was Cain an idolater?
According to some commentaries that I have read, Cain was rejected by Hashem in Genesis 4 because he did not offer the first or choice of his field, but rather the dregs or at least standard fare. The ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
What is the source of the Rambam's historical account of idol worship?
Rambam in his code of law under the section of idol worship (1:1-2) delineates the historical process which lead to the existence of idol worship starting with according honor to elements in nature ...
4
votes
1answer
131 views
Can an Atheist pour my wine?
Edited -- Thank you all for the helpful comments.
Can an avowed non-Jewish atheist pour my non-mevushal wine for me?
Can I share a bottle of wine with him/her?
2
votes
0answers
75 views
Game of Thrones Deities - Pemitted to Study?
The Rambam rules regarding studying the ways of Idolatry (Avodas Kochavim 2:2):
סְפָרִים רַבִּים חִבְּרוּ עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים בַּעֲבוֹדָתָהּ הֵיאַךְ
עִקַּר עֲבוֹדָתָהּ וּמַה מַּעֲשֶׂיהָ ...
3
votes
3answers
132 views
Photographing an Eclipse
There is a general prohibition on depicting and/or owning depictions of celestial bodies, such as the sun and moon (see, e.g., the Rambam Hilkhoth Avoda Zara 3:18). Nonetheless, there are opinions ...
3
votes
0answers
24 views
What to do with idol worship relics or impure objects
Once knowing the truth of the Torah, and the seven noahide laws,I disposed of many things. I want to know how exactly are you to dispose of these things.( Parashat Re'eh) gives a set of instructions ...
9
votes
1answer
131 views
Ramban and Shituf. What is his position?
The Ramban on Devarim 7:6 says:
בך בחר ה' אלהיך להיות לו לעם סגלה שאין לך קצין שוטר ומושל בכל מלאכי מעלה אבל אתה סגולת ה' תחת ידו ולכך לא תטעה לעבוד ע"ז מאלהי העמים וכבר הזכרתי זה פעמים רבות
...
6
votes
2answers
172 views
Is there any connection between love and idolatry?
Is there any connection between love and idolatry?
I am asking this question in order to understand love and to see if there is a relationship between it and idolatry. Is there a connection, and if ...
7
votes
0answers
205 views
The status of Christian bibles nowadays
In SA OC 334:21 it is established that holy scripture written by a pagan should be burnt,
האפיקורסים דהיינו האדוקים בעבודת כוכבים וכן מומרים לעבודת כוכבים
שכתבו להם
כתבי הקודש אין מצילים אותם ...
7
votes
1answer
155 views
Is bowing at the end of lecha dodi considered Avodah Zarah?
Someone recentley asked me if bowing at the end of lecha dodi is considered Avodah Zarah, since we are bowing to the Shabbat Malkah and not to Hashem. I responded that it is like the way we used to ...
1
vote
1answer
118 views
The Big Three in Private
I know that for the sins of sexual immorality, murder and idolatry one is required to die rather than violate them. The Gemara in Avodah Zara 54 seems to imply that in private one is allowed to ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
Why must one give up his life to avoid idolatry, according to Rashi?
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 74a) derives that one must give up his life to avoid idolatry from the passuk in Va'Eschanan (Devarim 6:5):
ואהבת את ה׳ אלקיך ... בכל נפשך
You should love HaShem your G-...
-10
votes
1answer
105 views
Which religious texts cause some Jews to focus and worship the material gains in this life (creation) rather than to Hashem (the creator)? [closed]
Please see this article in Asbury Park Press regarding welfare fraud by rabbis.
Also, years ago when Christy was a NJ state prosecutor there was another roundup of rabbis in a New Jersey corruption ...
2
votes
1answer
57 views
Unintentionally break the commandment of prohibiting idolatry
I noticed that Rashi (based on Sifrei 111:1) understand the sin described in Bamidbar 15 to be about idolatry, while the (O)JPS translation reads (verse 22): "And when ye shall err, and not observe ...
2
votes
0answers
98 views
Yoga with a Buddha idol in the same room?
Is it allowed to participate a yoga class while a Buddha idol is placed in the room owned by the yoga studio? Even if one has no intention of praying to the idol?
1
vote
0answers
174 views
Is Scientology Avodah Zarah for Jews?
Scientology, the religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, has similarities to some forms of Buddhism in that it de-emphasizes the worship (or even acknowledgement of the existence) of any specific gods in ...
2
votes
0answers
99 views
May a Jew stare at an “image” of an ancient idol?
In SA, YD, siman 142:15,
אסור לשמוע כלי שיר של אלילים או להסתכל בנוי אלילים כיון שנהנה בראייה
My question is, does the image of an idol (ancient Sumerian, Egyptian, Canaanite) have the same status ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
In the Messianic Age, will there be a period of time where people can repent for their mistaken worship of false religions?
If someone is genuinely worshipping the Abrahamic God, even if in an incorrect way which they wholeheartedly believe to be correct, do they not get a chance to correct themselves when the Mashiach ...
2
votes
0answers
71 views
Have there ever been inter-faith debates between Jews and Zoroastrians? [closed]
There are records of many inter-faith debates (disputations) between Jews and Christians even up to modern times. However I have never heard of similar such debates between Jews and Zoroastrians. Are ...
