All Questions
Tagged with avodah-zarah christianity
58 questions
59
votes
21
answers
23k
views
Is Christianity Avodah Zara?
It is commonly accepted that Islam is not Avodah Zarah (idolatry) since Islam has a clear monotheistic theology with a belief in Allah that parallels our view of "kail" or Hashem. It is even ...
- 2,319
29
votes
4
answers
4k
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Why isn't the Kabbalistic doctrine of Sefirot considered Shittuf if the Christian Trinity is?
From the answers to this question it seems that most if not all Jewish sources treat Trinitarian Christianity (in particular, their doctrine of the Trinity) as either Shittuf or outright Avoda Zara, ...
- 8,031
28
votes
9
answers
7k
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If Christianity is avodah zarah and Islam is not, why has the Christian world triumphed over the non-Christian, and why do Jews prefer to live among Christians and not Muslims?
The Rambam quite clearly considered Christianity to be avodah zarah. He did not feel the same way about Islam, however, going so far as to condone praying within a mosque, and many Orthodox Jewish ...
user337
20
votes
3
answers
3k
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Is a Jew allowed to be knighted? Problem with kneeling?
Is there any halachik problem with going through the knighting (or Damehood for women) process of kneeling etc?
The current ceremony does not contain many of the Christian or pagan overtones of the ...
user1520
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Christian "Grace" invalidate food?
Suppose there's a communal meal in a secular workplace, at which some of the food is reliably kosher. Now suppose that right before anyone takes any food, one of the participants, to general assent, ...
- 48.6k
15
votes
1
answer
584
views
Is there a problem with saying "for Pete's sake"?
Is there a halachic issue with invoking the name "Peter," or, as is more commonly used, "oh, for Pete's sake!," which I assume is a reference to Saint Peter. Wikipedia agrees with this conjecture, ...
- 19.3k
13
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Should the Christian cross be seen as an idol?
As Christianity is Avodah Zarah, is a Christian cross which people kiss, pay respect to, and face toward when praying, considered to be an idol?
Here is a brief excerpt from a scholarly Christian ...
- 2,013
11
votes
3
answers
665
views
Pokemon Go and Churches
This is intended to be an academic question. All practical halachic questions should be decided based on a consult with your local Orthodox rabbi.
Pokemon Go is a new game for smartphones where you ...
- 465
10
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Asking non-Jews to pray for someone
Is it appropriate to ask non-Jews to pray on behalf of someone in dire straits (sick, wrongfully imprisoned, trapped, etc.)?
Edit: If it's appropriate, would it be inappropriate if the person being ...
- 41.9k
10
votes
2
answers
3k
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What to do with the Cross on the Chess King?
Many (perhaps most) Chess sets come with a King piece that has a cross on the top of it. Is there any problem with owning or using such a chess set? Should one break off the cross?
- 38.8k
10
votes
1
answer
999
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How does Judaism regard the different denominations of Christianity vis-a-vis Avoda Zara?
There's been lots of talk about whether Christianity is Avodah Zara.
Are there any distinctions between denominations, say which ones have more statues?
- 136k
10
votes
1
answer
308
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Are Jews allowed to contribute to the reconstruction of the Paris cathedral?
I assume most of you have already heard about the sad events that happened yesterday in France. One of the main symbols of Paris, a functioning cathedral caught on fire and caused huge damage to the ...
- 8,117
8
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Would it be permissible to believe that Jesus is the messiah if that belief otherwise entails no rejection of halakha or Jewish tradition?
"Messianic Judaism" is generally speaking Christianity repackaged in a Jewish veneer, so they have the same beliefs on the Torah and the divinity of Jesus/Trinity as mainstream Christianity. But ...
- 313
7
votes
2
answers
608
views
Business with Christians during their holiday periods
According to those who hold that Christianity is avodah zarah, may Jews do business with Christians within three days of Sunday (or if you want, within 3 days of Dec. 25 or Easter) in light of the ...
- 6,946
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Getting benefit from a church
I recently heard that one is forbidden to get any benefit from a church (or any other place of worship other then a shul). They went on to say that the prohibation included while giving directions "...
- 3,844
6
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Is there any problem with thanking a non-Jew by saying "God bless you?"
If your neighbor/coworker/etc. is a religious non-Jew and they do you a favor, is there a problem to say "thank you, God bless you?", assuming you think they'd appreciate hearing that?
- 136k
6
votes
1
answer
359
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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"?
...
- 3,692
6
votes
0
answers
174
views
Is there a problem with buying a Christian a Christmas gift?
To make the question easier, suppose that the recipient of the Christmas gift is a devout Christian who actually celebrates for religious reasons.
Potentially there are several issues with buying a ...
- 34.7k
6
votes
0
answers
95
views
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,...
- 61
5
votes
4
answers
362
views
Does Judaism care if jesus performed the miracles as reported in the christian testament?
Devarim 13 teaches about a navi sheker that can predict the future accurately and/or perform miracles (real ones—see Rashbam), and yet, as he contravenes the Torah, that we ourselves heard, we're to ...
- 4,020
5
votes
1
answer
381
views
Plants vs Zombies Avoda Zara
In the digital game Plants vs. Zombies, there are graveyard tombs in the shapes of crosses. Does this constitute avoda zara? Is it therefore assur to play this game?
- 59
5
votes
1
answer
745
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Is Unitarianism considered to be idolatry? [duplicate]
Many Jewish authorities consider Christianity to be idolatry due to their belief in a "Holy Trinity." Is that position universal for all Christians, or is it specific only to particular individuals or ...
- 25.1k
5
votes
1
answer
288
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Is Sabellianism avodah zarah (idolatry)?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabellianism
They do not believe that God is three in one. They believes that God, being omnipotent, can appear to humans in many forms, including becoming human like ...
- 4,383
5
votes
1
answer
281
views
Is it Mutar to Listen to Music Recorded in a Church?
I read somewhere that listening to music recorded in a church is asur, because it essentially brings the church into one's home. This is common practice for classical music. Has anyone heard of or not ...
- 157
5
votes
1
answer
543
views
Status of Catholic saints in Judaism
Roman Catholics and other branches of Christianity have a concept of sainthood, where they bestow a status to someone based on posthumous miracles attributed to them. They also pray to them.
...
- 32.3k
5
votes
0
answers
169
views
Thanking Christian for his prayers
Taking into account that Christianity is Avoda Zara I would like to ask the following question.
I met a missionary last night who started off the conversation saying that he prays for Israel and then ...
- 1,201
5
votes
0
answers
104
views
Waving or otherwise recognizing the English flag and its variants
Related to this question and this question the English flag and many of its variants from former colonies have the cross of someone who is recognized as a saint by Catholics, George. This cross was ...
- 32.3k
5
votes
0
answers
66
views
How can Jewish merchants sell their wares to Christians before their holidays? [duplicate]
The first perek of Avoda Zara makes a strong pronouncment that it is forbidden to sell or buy from an idol worshiper close to his holidays, because by doing so, you help him celebrate that holiday. ...
- 16.3k
4
votes
2
answers
433
views
Christmas and Ex-mas
Why do some Jews refer to Christmas as Ex-mas?
Is there anything wrong in Jews saying Christmas?
- 7,025
4
votes
5
answers
388
views
Is it forbidden to help idolaters become righteous Noahides?
I heard from a Rabbi who cited Rambam that it is forbidden to help idolaters do teshuvah.
Does that mean it is forbidden to persuade them that they follow fake religions and that Judaism is the only ...
- 1,215
4
votes
1
answer
245
views
Halachic basis for opposing erection of a giant statute of Jesus in Israel
According to JewishIsrael.com an Arab Christian group plans to build a giant statute of Jesus on Har Kedumin (Mt. Precipice) near Nazareth on Jewish National Fund land. The Minister of Tourism, Uzi ...
- 16.3k
4
votes
0
answers
259
views
Is one allowed to OWN a King James Bible, Koran, etc.?
Halachically speaking (as opposed to a mere Middos Chassidus), is one allowed to own a book or document of another religion? This question can be divided into sub-questions:
1. Would there be a ...
- 185
4
votes
0
answers
634
views
Rav ha Meiri's interpretation of the term "notzrim" in Talmud Bavli-Avodah Zarah 6a and 7b
According to the legal determination established in Talmud Bavli -Avodah Zarah 6a and 7b, the halachic status of christians (“notzrim”) appears to be that of idolaters:
Avodah Zara 6a
Avodah Zarah 7b
...
- 2,646
4
votes
0
answers
143
views
saying the word "Jesus" [duplicate]
The standard practice seems to be avoiding saying the word "Jesus" due to the halacha of שם רשעים ירקב, but some people seem to be willing to say it. Is there a heter for this? (Also, would this heter ...
user3318
3
votes
1
answer
622
views
Why is the Trinity considered polytheistic in traditional Jewish thought? [closed]
I've read a couple questions on this site and other Jewish sources stating the traditional Jewish view is the Christian concept of the Trinity is polytheistic. However, I haven't found any questions ...
- 189
3
votes
3
answers
346
views
Messianic Jew and Wine
At what stage does a born-Jewish messianic Jew's presence at and/ or participation in an Orthodox synagogue's kiddush make wine 'Yayin Nesech'?
- 39
3
votes
2
answers
464
views
Is someone allowed to enter into a church to please his father or save a life? [closed]
Let's suppose that someone is a Jew by conversion (Ben Noach) and his father is Christian. If he goes to church (assuming that in the church they practice idolatry by worshipping the trinity) just to ...
- 635
3
votes
1
answer
705
views
Can a Jew visit the main attractions in Rome
Can a Jew visit the main attractions in Rome? Including the Vatican, the Vatican museums, the Pantheon, St Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. It's a two-part question, first of all, are these ...
- 61
2
votes
1
answer
493
views
What are the issues with singing in a secular choir that includes some Christian music?
If one sings in a secular choir (consisting of both Jews and gentiles) that performs in secular locations and contexts (such as concert halls, public plazas, nursing homes, etc), what are the issues ...
- 57k
2
votes
1
answer
457
views
Are Jews allowed to use the expression "fingers crossed"?
Not to worship idols is one of the 10 commandments; according to a quick Google search "finger crossed" originates from either the Christian cross or other superstitious beliefs.
Does this mean that ...
- 13.3k
2
votes
1
answer
483
views
Christianity as a test for jews
I was looking for sources demonstrating Christianity as a test for Jews. My search began when I was reading Rambam in Mishneh Torah (Laws of Kings 11:4; English):
[...] Can there be a greater ...
- 7,084
2
votes
1
answer
819
views
Is the Christmas tree an Ashera?
Do any poskim equate Christmas trees with the Ashera tree mentioned in the Gemara?
- 1,096
2
votes
2
answers
270
views
Does asking a righteous deceased and/or an "angel" to intercede with HaShem in favor of a living person violate the Noahide Law or not?
Among Catholics and Orthodox Christians, the tradition of asking Mary (the mother of Jesus), "angels" and saints to intercede with HaShem in favor of one or more living people is very ...
- 2,646
2
votes
2
answers
506
views
Is one allowed to sleep in a room/house where there are images of JC and other avodah zarah?
Is a Jew permitted to sleep in a room/house where there are idolatrous images on the walls, such as JC, etc.? What about non-Jews?
- 1,215
2
votes
0
answers
200
views
If I don't think that someone would leave Christianity, is it recommended to guide them to more monotheistic/non-Trinitarian Christianity? [closed]
Let's say as a hypothetical: I'm in an argument with a typical trinitarian Christian and they are absolutely stubborn. I can show them all the proofs of the incoherence of the topic of trinity and ...
- 1,062
2
votes
2
answers
207
views
Should one wish for the destruction of buildings of idol worship?
Two sequential questions, prompted by the Notre Dame fire:
Is one obligated to wish that places of idol worship are consumed if they already are on fire? (I would think so, given e.g. OC 224:2)
If so,...
- 1,167
1
vote
2
answers
369
views
Should a Christian church as a whole be seen as an Idol Halachically
Churches here have a highly visible protruding cross (which is an Idol) on the roof and at many places all over the structure, does that mean the church itself becomes an Idol, i.e a large Idol, also ...
user5316
1
vote
1
answer
706
views
where if anywhere, does rashi refer to christianity as idolatry?
I remember hearing that rashi does not consider christianity idolatry.
In researching it on google
I have read here
Isaac On Jewish and Christian Altars:Polemic and Exegesis in Rashi and the ...
...
- 2,185
1
vote
3
answers
381
views
What, if anything, is different about Christianity compared to other forms of Avodah Zara?
Idolatry, defined as worshipping something or someone other than Hashem is forbidden to jews. This goes all the way back to Avraham and then is stated explicitly in the commandments received by Moshe ...
- 316
1
vote
2
answers
639
views
Is the expression "we do not rely on 'bar elahin'" a reference to Christianity?
The prayer Brich Shmeh from the Zohar Vayakhel 206a, which is recited during the Torah service, contains the statement ולא על בר אלהין סמיכנא. All the translations I've seen render "bar elahin" as "...
- 4,550