All Questions
Tagged with avodah-zarah tefilla
19 questions
2
votes
0
answers
57
views
Praying on a reflective floor
It's forbidden to pray in front of a mirror, as it can appear like you're praying to your own reflection. What about standing on a mirrored floor (or some other reflective surface), where it can look ...
- 5,019
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
2
votes
0
answers
71
views
Mirror in Shul?
Is a mirror allowed in shul if it is hanging on a wall that no one faces when they daven?
It feels wrong to me, but I cannot find a source stating that it is explicitly forbidden since no one is ...
- 89
4
votes
0
answers
118
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Bowing when davening outside
If one is davening outside, and one says aleinu* and wishes to bow, should one change how he bows?
I have seen (h/t Harel13) it written that, when one says Birchat Hachama, one should bow to the ...
- 38.7k
2
votes
1
answer
311
views
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.)
- 635
6
votes
2
answers
841
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Would anybody be able to point me in the direction of legitimate Jewish meditation practices?
I have been looking for a meditative exercise which would complement my worship practices.
either something to use before Worship to be put into the appropriate mindset or something which can be ...
user13783
2
votes
0
answers
71
views
Is something considered idolatry even if it doesn't acknowledge a deity outside of Hashem?
G-d grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the
difference.
The above listed prayer is known as the Serenity Prayer. It's ...
user13783
1
vote
0
answers
140
views
If a Jew visits a fire temple and offers a prayer to "Ahura Mazda", commandments are being violated?
If a Jew visits a fire temple and offers a prayer to "Ahura Mazda" as a good-will gesture, which commandments are being violated? What are the views of the Jewish Sages on this type of interfaith ...
1
vote
0
answers
65
views
Praying to the Avot? [duplicate]
In the Oral tradition, it appears to be people who pray to their forefathers and foremothers, like Yousef begging Rochela Imeinu at her grave to save him from the Midianyim, and Calev went to the ...
- 608
2
votes
0
answers
182
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"Hamalach hagoel" and idolatrous intent
In Genesis 48:15-16, Jacob blesses Joseph by (seemingly) requesting of G-d that His angel bless Joseph's children:
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ אֶת־יוֹסֵ֖ף וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הָֽאֱלֹקים אֲשֶׁר֩ הִתְהַלְּכ֨וּ
אֲבֹתַ֤י ...
- 17.9k
4
votes
1
answer
511
views
Asking a Human to Interecede with God
Rambam writes (Hil. T'shuva 3:15) that it is forbidden to utilize any entity as an intermediary between oneself and God (more accurately that one who does so is a heretic who loses his share in the ...
- 36k
14
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does Maimonides Allow Prayer to Angels?
In his Mishna Commentary to Sanhedrin 10:1 Maimonides lists as his 5th principle the prohibition to pray to an angel even as an intermediary.
He counts this in his enumeration of his 13 principles in ...
- 36k
3
votes
0
answers
128
views
Praying with pictures or money on the table
It has been established that one may not pray facing a picture.
May one pray by a table where pictures or money bills lie?
How about engraved images like coins?
If prohibited, how can the practice of ...
- 6,871
7
votes
1
answer
661
views
Davening in front of a picture of 'Avodah Zarah
This afternoon I found myself Davening in a classroom. It must have been a comparative cultures type of class, judging by the items that were hanging on the walls - posters and artwork and such.
As I ...
- 41.9k
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
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
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can one pray in front of a mirror?
Can it be considered avodah zarah if one prays while looking at themselves in the mirror? I mean, if you're looking at yourself, is it wrong for someone to think that you're praying to that person? I'...
- 1,887
8
votes
1
answer
359
views
Are there any ill-effects for mis-directed prayers?
Inspired by the end of this answer:
Just remember that all non-Jews don't follow the Sheva Mitzvot and could [even] be in Avodah Zarah and then would...a blessing [of theirs] matter? It might even ...
- 41.9k
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