All Questions
Tagged with avodah-zarah sources-mekorot
22 questions
5
votes
1
answer
673
views
Plagues of Egypt mocking their gods
I've heard from a Christian that each of the plagues that Hashem brought upon Egypt corresponded to a different Egyptian god. That is to say, to mock that particular god.
For example, heqet, the ...
- 2,328
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
3
votes
0
answers
118
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Midrash - Avraham Avinu and the idol worshipper
A came across a Dvar Torah here which states the following:
The souls that they made in Charan (12:5) – Rav Ovadiah Yosef ztl. cited a midrash which described how far Avraham went in order to be ...
- 34.5k
2
votes
1
answer
220
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Idol hidden in the Kaaba?
Which rabbi(s) wrote that there were idols hidden inside the Kaaba (Muslim direction of prayer), thus making Islam Avodah Zarah? (Whether the rabbi(s) were mistaken or not is besides the point)
I ...
- 800
8
votes
1
answer
481
views
Sources on the Rogochover and Islam
Someone once told me the Rogochover says that Muslims are idol worshippers, as they secretly worship the moon.
I couldn't find where the Rogochover actually writes this. This article (fn. 20) says ...
- 20.2k
1
vote
0
answers
38
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Where does the ohr hachaim say that one who fails to destroy avoda zara is also oveir on the lav of not serving it?
The ohr hachaim is quoted as saying that one who fails to destroy avoda zara is also oveir on the lav of not serving it in "hatekufah hagedolah" (r' menachem mendel kasher) in perek 13 "(ד' ר"ש)" ...
- 483
3
votes
1
answer
233
views
Is idolatry more than the worship of inanimate objects?
Many rabbis (mostly, if not only, non-traditional, I believe) are giving us new interpretations of the word “idolatry”. We sometimes hear that the pursuit of material possessions is worship of wealth;...
- 23.6k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Source for it being a mitzvah to make fun of Avodah Zarah?
I've heard from multiple Rabbanim that it is a mitzvah to make fun of Avodah Zarah. I have been performing this mitzvah with pleasure for many years and I would like to know the source for it.
- 785
4
votes
1
answer
516
views
Are Totem Poles considered to be Avodah Zarah?
A totem pole is a large carving, often made out of a tree, that depicts symbols or figures. They are usually made by various First Nations and Indigenous peoples around Canada and the United States.
...
- 21.2k
4
votes
2
answers
3k
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, ...
- 19.2k
3
votes
0
answers
85
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 ...
- 23.6k
3
votes
1
answer
160
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 ...
- 15.3k
0
votes
1
answer
95
views
Where can I find commentary on Mishnah Avodah Zarah 3:4?
Where can I find commentary on the Mishnah Avodah Zarah 3:4? If you could point me to a couple sources for where I can anything from rabbinical commentary to ACADEMIC commentary for the passage below ...
- 187
3
votes
2
answers
278
views
What one must give up their life for
It is commonly known that there are 3 things that a Jew must give up their life for and not to be ovar (transgress) on these things: Giliah Ariyos (sexual relations that are not permitted), Shivchus ...
- 16.2k
4
votes
2
answers
226
views
What will happen to all other religions places of worship and scripture when moshiach comes
Does it say anywhere in Jewish scripture what will happen to the places of worship and religious scripture of all the other religions of the world when moshiach comes?
- 45
3
votes
0
answers
112
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Proof that calling upon deceased righteous people is polythiesm
My assumption is that in the Jewish faith, if someone were to call upon a righteous person who is not alive for help, that would be considered polytheism.
Are there any explicit verses in the Torah ...
- 177
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Zoroastrianism v.s. Judaism [closed]
Does anybody think Zoroastrianism inflenuced Judaism, cause online people say Zoroastrianism was the first monotheistic religion http://avesta.org, and that Judaism copied it, also that Zoroastrianism ...
user8730
-1
votes
1
answer
132
views
Elazar ben durdayah and the Metaphors
The Gemara in Avodah Zarah (17a) says:
“When Elazar ben durdayah was at the moment of the onset of cohabitation, [the harlot] blew with her mouth and said to Elazar, “Just as this current of air ...
- 7,025
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
1
vote
0
answers
66
views
God issuing prophecy in the name of idols
I once read somewhere in the Gemara that a Rabbi asked how come idolaters claim that, as they walked by an idol, the god made a prediction (or gave advice) that came true. The answer was that God ...
- 9,128
3
votes
4
answers
582
views
Where is a mediator between God and man forbidden
I don't believe that there should be mediators (like Christians believe Jesus is a mediator between God and man whom they pray to and/or pray through) between us and God, but is there anywhere in the ...
- 2,179
15
votes
2
answers
2k
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Dipping fingers in Havdalah Wine
What is the source or origin of the custom to dip one's fingers in the wine poured over the candle to extinguish it at the conclusion of Havdalah?
As a side note, and a reason I'm tagging it this way,...
- 41.9k