Questions tagged [avodah-zarah]
Worship of foreign deities, one of the three cardinal sins.
2
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1answer
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Are Jews allowed to pray on their knees?
If someone finds it a good way to have a concentration in pray while on his knees, can it be done? (Not talking about Amida/Sidur prayers, but talking with the creator.)
5
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Graven Image Question
Can someone give me sources from Tanakh and Halakhah on why it is permissible for a Jewish [certified kosher] bakery to make images from Christianity and their winter holiday? And if it is permissible,...
4
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2answers
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David's Idol: why did he have one?
In שמואל א יט it says in reference to David's escape from Saul:
וַתִּקַּ֨ח מִיכַ֜ל אֶת־הַתְּרָפִ֗ים וַתָּ֙שֶׂם֙ אֶל־הַמִּטָּ֔ה וְאֵת֙ כְּבִ֣יר הָֽעִזִּ֔ים שָׂ֖מָה מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑יו וַתְּכַ֖ס ...
4
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2answers
418 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
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1answer
67 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
156 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 ...
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0answers
59 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?
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1answer
214 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
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0answers
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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
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0answers
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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 ...
4
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1answer
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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 ...
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1answer
45 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?
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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
122 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
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0answers
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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
417 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
149 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
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vote
1answer
111 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
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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 - ...
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0answers
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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 ...
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0answers
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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
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0answers
54 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
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1answer
748 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.
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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
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1answer
88 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 ...
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1answer
87 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
137 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
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0answers
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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-...
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0answers
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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-...
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2answers
198 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
145 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"?
...
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1answer
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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
56 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 ...
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1answer
59 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 ...
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2answers
54 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 ...
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1answer
86 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
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1answer
135 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?
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0answers
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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 ...
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3answers
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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 ...
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0answers
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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 ...
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1answer
138 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
...
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2answers
182 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 ...
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0answers
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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
157 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 ...
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1answer
120 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 ...
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1answer
100 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-...
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votes
1answer
107 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
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0answers
105 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?
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0answers
181 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 ...
