Halocho #1034- Calling idols by name is forbidden

One may not mention the name of idols for any reason - not even as a landmark to meet somebody (as in "meet me next to idol so-and-so") - as it says in (שְׁמוֹת (כ"ג:י"ג:

וְשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים לֹא תַזְכִּירוּ, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַל-פִּיךָ 

"and the name of other gods do not mention".

One should not cause even a non-Jew to mention the name of his idols, with the exception of having the non-Jew swear in court, where some opinions are lenient. 

Mockery is frowned upon, with the exception of mocking idol worship. 

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 167:9, 10

- Danny
Tuesday, 18 Shvat 5773

Halocho #1033– Financing idol worship; is it allowed?

Some say that one may not lend money which will be used for the purchase of building a temple for idol worship or for anything else related to it – and obviously one may not sell such items, and the one who refrains will succeed. 

One may not bind books related to idol worshipers, except for their civil law books. In cases where this would generate animosity one should try worm oneself out of it. 

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 168

- Danny
Monday, 17 Shvat 5773

Halocho #1032 - May one listen to church music?

It is forbidden to gaze at an idol or its decorations. 

One should keep at least 4 Amot (~2m) from the idol's temple and obviously from the idol itself. 

One may not listen to music being played for an idol; if need be one should block ones ears. 

Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 168:8

- Danny
Sunday, 16 Shvat 5773

Halocho #988 - Your life or your Shabbat

Saving lives takes precedence over Shabbat. (Saving lives takes precedence over all sins besides for idolatry, adultery and murder.)

Even if the danger is not certain, one must transgress Shabbat - if needed - and take care of the potential danger.

When a potential life threatening situation arises on Shabbat, one first takes care of the danger - and later one can ask questions for future reference.

Even if a non-Jew is available, one desecrates Shabbat and does not waste time trying to get the non-Jew to avert the danger.

Even if many people desecrated Shabbat to avert a danger, and they unnecessarily duplicated each others efforts, they all get rewarded for their efforts to save a life.

Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 92:1

Shabbat Shalom,
- Danny
8 Kislev 5773

Halocho #43 - Calling idols by name is forbidden

One may not mention the name of idols for any reason - not even as a landmark to meet somebody (as in "meet me next to idol so-and-so") - as it says in Exodus: "and the name of other gods do not mention"* One should not cause even a non-Jew to mention the name of his idols, with the exception of having the non-Jew swear in court, where some opinions are lenient. Mockery is frowned upon, with the exception of mocking idol worship. Source: KSA: 167:9, 10 * ושם אלהים אחרים לא תזכירו לא ישמע על־פיך - שמות כ"ג:י"ג

סימן קסז – הלכות עבודת כוכבים ומזלות

סעיף ט - אסור להזכיר שם אלילים בין לצורך, כגון לומר לחבירו: המתן לי בצד עבודה זרה פלוני, בין שלא לצורך. שנאמר ושם אלהים אחרים לא תזכירו, ואסור לגרום לעובדי כוכבים שיזכיר שם אלילים שנאמר לא ישמע על פיך, לא ישמע בגרמא שלך. ואם נתחייב לו אינו יהודי שבועה יש מקילין להניח לו לישבע. שם החגים שהם כשמות בני אדם אין חשש להזכירם, והוא שלא יקראם כמו שהאינו יהודי מזכיר אותם בלשון חשיבות. סעיף י - כל לצנותא אסורא חוץ מליצנותא דעבודה זרע דשריא.

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Halocho #39 – Financing idol worship

Some say that you may not lend money which will be used for the purchase of building a temple for idol worship or for anything else related to it – and obviously one may not sell such, and the one who refrains will succeed. One may not bind books related to idol worshipers, except for their civil law books. In cases where this would generate animosity one should try worm oneself out of it. Tonight is the first day Rosh Chodesh Adar 1 – if one forgot to say Ya'aleh Veyavo at night (on Rosh Chodesh) one need not make amends. Source: KSA 167:10, 19:10

Halocho #38 - Viewing idols

It is forbidden to gaze at an idol or its decorations. One should keep at least 4 Amot (~2m) from the idol's temple and obviously from the idol itself. One may not listen to music being played for an idol; if need be one should block ones ears. Source Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: 168:8

Halocho #37 - Benefiting from idols

One may not benefit from anything related to idols, including its decorations, utensils and sacrifices. The building it's housed in, the pedestal it stands on and the musical instruments used in its service are all forbidden. Even the leftover candles stubs lit in its honor and the trees planted to enhance its scenery are forbidden to be used. Once a non-Jewish idol worshipper destroys his idol, all the above become permitted with the exception of the sacrifices which remain forbidden indefinitely. Source: Kitzur SA 167:1,2