Questions tagged [avodah-zarah]
Worship of foreign deities, one of the three cardinal sins.
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No yetzer hora of idolatry, so no nevuah?
I remember learning in a shiur (sorry, can't think of the reference) that Chazal was able to essentially destroy the yetzer hora of avodah zora but with the side effect that there wouldn't be nevuah ...
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Working on space exploration as a Torah-observant Jew - all the names drawn from Avodah Zara
Related: May one use the name of an avodah zara?
Space exploration agencies and intitutions are generally a-religious, but they do have a propensity to use the names of old gods for all their projects....
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How was Rabbi Akiva’s wish to fulfill the commandment of ״בכל נפשך״ actually fulfilled?
The Gemara (Berachos 61b) tells the story of Rabbi Akiva, who was killed for teaching Torah, and before he was killed, he told his students that he was now finally able to fulfill the commandment of ״...
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Is jewelry with depictions of golems permitted
It only recently hit me that this can be problematic as it sort of has an image of a face on it and can be considered an idol? Does it make a difference if one’s intention is purely for decorative/...
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How come studying the Hebrew letters and Sefirot is not considered idolatry (what is the boundary)?
First, I am not 100% sure what the definition of idolatry is in Judaism. I don't think it applies just to worshipping physical objects (your typical vision of "idols" like human-like statues,...
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Was idolatry the sin of the builders of the Tower of Babel?
Many commentators bemoan the fact that the sin of the builders of the Tower of Babel is not mentioned explicitly in the Torah. A plurality (but by no means all) seems to believe they engaged in ...
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Is reading "Journey To The West" Avodah Zarah?
So I'm considering reading the famous Chinese novel Journey To The West, which is about a Buddhist monk, and entails interactions with Taoists and Confucians. From my understanding this book is ...
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Ki Savo: Idols of Wood and Stone [duplicate]
Devarim 28:64 says:
וֶהֱפִֽיצְךָ֤ יְהֹוָה֙ בְּכׇל־הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים מִקְצֵ֥ה הָאָ֖רֶץ
וְעַד־קְצֵ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ וְעָבַ֨דְתָּ שָּׁ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר
לֹא־יָדַ֛עְתָּ אַתָּ֥ה וַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ עֵ֥ץ וָאָֽבֶן׃...
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Who threw the plate in that made the Egel Zahav עֵגֶל זָּהָב come out?
Yehuda haKohen relays:
The Hebrew worldview associates Yosef with cattle. In Moshe’s brakhot
to the different tribes at the end of Sefer D’varim, we see Yosef
likened to a shor – a bull. Our Sages ...
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Can Islamic banking be considered "following their ways"?
Is one allowed to open a bank account in a bank that follows Islamic customs and poses itself as Islamic banking? The card they offer would be not usable for purchases in stores that are designated ...
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Why the prohibition of idolatry doesn't stem from the Mitzvah of loving God?
The second commandment of the Ten, prohibits idolatry out of God's jealousy and harsh multi-generational punishment.
In the current era of romanticism, jealousy usually arises from deep love and ...
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Were the idolatrous kings of Yisrael no longer Jewish? [duplicate]
In Rambam's Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry 2:5 he states
יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעָבַד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הֲרֵי הוּא כְּעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים לְכָל דְּבָרָיו וְאֵינוֹ כְּיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעוֹבֵר עֲבֵרָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ ...
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Medium Consultation For Gentiles
Are gentiles allowed to consult mediums or talk to spirits?
The prohibition of witchcraft and the like is not explicitly mentioned in the Noahide laws as far as I'm aware, but I could see it going ...
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Why "לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" uses singular יִהְיֶה?
Regarding singular יהיה in "לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים" in both versions of the Ten COmmandments.
Does it mean that "אלוהים אחרים" is singular as in "כִּי מִי־גוֹי ...
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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 ...
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Did the Rambam believe in magic?
If you read through Chapter 11 of the Rambam's laws on Idol Worship, you'll see what seems to be the Rambam forbidding anything that even resembles magic, all while calling such practices foolish and ...
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Responsibility before commandments?
The Midrash has Moses make the argument that God should not punish the Israelites for the Golden Calf, because He never told them not to engage in idolatry:
[Moses] said in front of [God]: Master of ...
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What is prohibited in Idolatry: Form or Symbol?
Do the prohibitions related to idolatry, that concern bnei noach, apply to symbol or form?
What I mean by symbol or form:
Symbol: status of a concept that is worshipped
Form: physical being actively ...
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Is it permitted to visit Palermo catacombs in Sicily?
Is a Jew halachically permitted to visit the catacombs in Palermo Sicily?
Are these catacombs beneath the church?
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If prophecy ended, how come idol worship didn't?
The Vilna Gaon claims that the destruction of the yeitzer hara (evil inclination) for idol worship also removed prophecy.
I want to know, why? It seems there is a connection between the yeitzer hara ...
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Wisdom and knowledge, G-dly or unG-dly?
I wondered if there are texts and/or explanations that teach us when certain knowledge or wisdom is considered G-dly or unG-dly (occult, pagan, wrong).
To give some context, I recently had a ...
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How many Jews sinned with the Moabite girls and Ba'al Peor?
The Passuk (Bamidbar 25:9) tells us that 24,000 Jews died in the plague following the sin of the Moabite girls and Ba'al Pe'or.
Is that the total sum of Jews that sinned or were there more? I had ...
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Practical consequences of a Jew who worships Avodah Zara
Besides for the fact that avodah zara is an aveira, are there any restrictions that come about from a Jew who has this status? To narrow it down, let's say he keeps everything else in the Torah except ...
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Selling Christmas ornaments?
Long ago I met a Jewish couple whose business was selling secular Christmas ornaments and paraphernalia. Is there universal agreement on whether this is halachically allowed?
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Does a Pyramid Temple need to be destroyed in Chutz LaAretz or can it be made into a Synagogue
BH
Correct me if I'm wrong; I heard that it is forbidden for Avoda Zara temples to exist in Israel. What about in Chutz LaAretz? Must they be destroyed or may one make a synagogue out of it?
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What is in greater violation of the prohibition of blasphemy: Atheism vs Avoda Zara? [duplicate]
In the eyes of halacha, who is in greater violation of the prohibition of blasphemy, an idolator or an atheist?
Whichever is worse, is that the case by both Jew and Non-Jew?
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Punishment for making a statue of YHWH and worshipping/bowing to it
After reading "The Origins of Judaism, An Archaeological Historical Reappraisal" by Dr. Yonathan Adler, I understood that the practice of not making images of God/gods changed rather ...
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Is the use of beads as a meditation tool acceptable if they aren't an item of idolatry?
Beads have a history of use in different religions. They also have a general use in human society as a whole detached from religion.
One simple example of the nonreligious version is the Greek ...
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Is calling someone a god Avodah zarah
In slang nowadays, it’s very common to call someone a god, such as “he’s such a god at this game” or “I’m such a god at baseball.” Is this considered Avodah zarah and/or assur, or is it permitted ...
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May a Jew be a Freemason?
According to what I've been told by several people who have inquired of "practicing" (is that the right word?) Freemasons, and supported by Wikipedia, "Freemasonry explicitly and openly states that it ...
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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 ...
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Is one allowed to volunteer in a food pantry affiliated with a church?
We all know that going in a church is assur. But what about going into a building associated with a church? E.g. let's say a place like Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries, which appears to just offer ...
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Can a Messianic Jew (Christian) be counted in a minyan? [duplicate]
There are a group of people who claim to be "Messianic Jews." This is a group of people who are either natural born Jews who adopted Jesus as their messiah and other Christian practices or ...
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Avodah Zarah and non-Jewish houseworkers
Does a Jewish homeowner need to be concerned that non-Jewish maids might perform idol worship with his possessions?
Would this make any of the things in his house forbidden, or no?
What precautions is ...
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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 ...
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Sources used by Maimonides in Mishneh Torah-Avodat Kochavim 1:1
In Mishneh Torah-Avodat Kochavim 1:1 Rambam states:
"During the times of Enosh, mankind made a great mistake, and the wise men of that generation gave thoughtless counsel. Enosh himself was one ...
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Reading foreign literature: perspectives and experiences
I'd like to hear how people make their decisions about reading, watching, and listening to materials that express non-Jewish ideas and imagery... both for study, and for entertainment.
This question ...
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Are gentile shrunken heads assur to own
According to Halacha, is it assur to own a gentile Shrunken head? The reason I ask is because my understanding is Halacha prohibits Jews from owning things made like the human form, even if not actual ...
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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 ...
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Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices?
Which ancient cults would cut out the hearts of live animals and offer them as sacrifices? The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 2:3) mentions a concept called עורות לבובין which Maimonides and other commentators ...
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What kinds of statues does the Rambam mean we shouldn't put our mouths on?
B"H
In hilchos avodas kochavim chapter 3 halacha 8 the Rambam says:
8 A person should not place his mouth over the mouths of statues which
serve as fountains that are located before false ...
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Can Noachide apostasy lead to delaying of the Moshiach
Can an individual who committed to being a Noachide, not before any rabbi but to himself and to G-D delay the coming of the Messiah by giving up the Noachide laws and renouncing G-D? What if the ...
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Depiction of the Menorah, the *Shulchan* and *Kadosh HaKadoshim* on ancient coins?
On some rare ancient coins of Matityah Antigonus, there are depictions of what seem to be the Menorah and the Shulchan (one obverse die even seems to show the Lechem HaPanim).
This coin has an ...
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Would Torah consider kundalini awakening as Avoda Zara or is there a kosher equivilant that can be found in Jewish mysticism also?
BH
Is kundalini awakening considered Avoda Zara or is there a kosher equivalent that can be found in Jewish mysticism also?
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Is a dead person forbidden from communicating with a live person?
A live person is forbidden from using necromancy to communicate with a dead person.
But is the reverse true?
Is the dead person permitted to initiate the contact?
If the live person contacted the dead ...
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How does halacha deal with idolatrous parents?
Query coming from some of the answers to this question:
How should one prioritize honoring parents in comparison with other laws?
'Rabbi Eliezer was asked: “How far does the honor of parents [extend]”?...
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Yemeni manuscripts about the Hebrew expression - in Mishneh Torah Hilchot Avodah Zarah 9:4 - translated as "idolaters"
I am an Italian Noahide.
in Mishneh Torah Hilchot-Avodah Zarah 9:4-, Rambam states that Christians are idolaters.
Now, in various editions of the work, including the one available on the Chabad ...
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What exactly do Noahides do?
There is a modern "Noahide" movement(I believe propagated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe), where people join together to be b'nei noah and not part of another religion. From some googling, I've seen that ...
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Who is an idolater?
In Chullin 13b, we read:
Rabbi Yoḥanan says: Gentiles outside of Eretz Yisrael are not idol worshippers. Rather, they are just following the customs of their ancestors that were transmitted to them......
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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 ...
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