Laws of idolatry

Siman 167: Laws of idolatry

Presented here for study, not as a practical ruling. The Shulchan Aruch rules by Sephardi custom, the Rema's glosses by Ashkenazi custom, and the Kitzur follows Ashkenazi custom. For a practical question, ask your rabbi.

א עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, אֲסוּרָה בַהֲנָאָה, הִיא וְתַשְׁמִישָׁה וְנוֹיָה וְתִקְרָבְתָּהּ. וְאִם נִתְעָרֵב מִדְּבָרִים אֵלּוּ אֲפִלּוּ אֶחָד בְּאֶלֶף שֶׁל הֶתֵּר, אוֹסֵר אֶת כָּל הַתַּעֲרוֹבוֹת בַּהֲנָאָה. אֵיזֶהוּ תַשְׁמִישָׁהּ. הַכֵּלִים שֶׁהַכֹּהֵן מַקְטִיר בָּהֶם לְפָנֶיהָ, כְּגוֹן הַמַּחְתָּה וְהַגְּבִיעִים, וְכֵן הַבַּיִת שֶׁמְּיַחֲדִים לָהּ, וְהַבָּסִיס ֹשֶמַּעֲמִידִין אוֹתָהּ עָלָיו, וְכֵן כְּלֵי הַשִּׁיר שֶׁמְּזַמְּרִים בָּהֶם לְפָנֶיהָ וְכַדּוֹמֶה. וְאֵיזֶהוּ נוֹיָהּ. כְּגוֹן הַנֵּרוֹת שֶׁמַּדְלִיקִין לְפָנֶיהָ, וְהַמַלְבּוּשִׁים שֶׁמַּלְבִּישִׁים אוֹתָהּ, אוֹ שֶׁשָּׁטַח לְפָנֶיהָ בְּגָדִים וְכֵלִים נָאִים לְנוֹי, וְכֵן הָאִילָנוֹת שֶׁרְגִּילִין לִטַע לִפְנֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה לִהְיוֹת לָהּ לְנוֹי, הַוְיָן נוֹיֶיהָ, וַאֲסוּרִין בַּהֲנָאָה, וְלָכֵן אָסוּר לֵישֵׁב בְּצִלָּן. וְאֵיזוֹהִי תִקְרָבְתָּהּ, כְּגוֹן מִנֵי מַאֲכָל שֶׁמַּנִּיחִין לְפָנֶיהָ. (עַיֵן יוֹרֶה דֵעָה סִימָן קלט וסִימָן ק"מ סָעִיף א').
1 It is forbidden to benefit from idols, from its vestments, ornaments and sacrifices. If any of these things are mingled with even one thousand legitimate items, it is forbidden to derive benefit from the entire lot. What are considered its vestments? The vessels that the priest uses for sacrificial purposes, such as pans and goblets, also the house (church) that is used exclusively for its worship, the base upon which the idol stands, also, the musical instruments that are used to play music before it. What are considered its ornaments? The candles that are lit before it, the garments that are used to clothe it, or those used to spread before it for beauty, and the trees that they are accustomed to plant in front of the idols to beautify them. These are its ornaments and it is forbidden to benefit from them, and it is therefore forbidden to sit in the shade of these trees. What are its sacrifices? The various kinds of food that are placed before it.
ב עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁל גּוֹי, וְכֵן תַּשְׁמִישָׁהּ וְנוֹיָהּ, יֵשׁ לָהֶן בִּטּוּל. כְּשֶׁמְּבַטֵּל אוֹתָהּ הַגּוֹי בְּיָדַיִם, שֶׁלֹּא תְהֵא עוֹד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה אוֹ תַשְׁמִישׁ אוֹ נוֹי לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֻתָּרוּ. וְֹשֶל יִשְֹרָאֵל מוּמָר, אֵין לָהֶם בִּטוּל.
2 The idols of a non-Jew, its vestments and ornaments, can be annulled. Thus, if the heathen actually defaces them so that they can no longer be used as idols, or as vestments or ornaments to idols, it is permitted to benefit from them. But for idols of a Jewish heretic, the law of annullment does not apply.
ג נֵרוֹת שֶׁהִדְלִיקוּ לְפָנֶיהָ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ כִּבָּן הַגּוֹי לְצֹרֶךְ עַצְמוֹ וּמְכָרָן לְיִשְֹרָאֵל, מֻתָּרִין, דְּכֵיוָן שֶׁכִּבָּן לְצֹרֶךְ עַצְמוֹ, זֶהוּ בִּטּוּלָן. וּמִכָּל מָקוֹם אֵין לַעֲשׂוֹת מֵהֶן נֵרוֹת שֶׁל מִצְוָה. וְכֵן כָּל דָבָר שֶׁל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנִּתְבַּטֵּל וּמֻתָּר לְהֶדְיוֹט, אָסוּר לִדְבַר מִצְוָה, מִשּׁוּם דִמְאִיסֵי לִגְּבוֹהַ.
3 It is permitted to benefit from candles that were lit (in front of an idol), and thereafter extinguished by a heathen, to be used for his own benefit, and were subsequently sold to a Jew. Since the heathen extinguished them to use for his own purpose, this act constitutes their annulment. Nevertheless, such candles should not be used for the performance of a mitzvah. Similarly, everything that was used for an idol, although it has been annulled, and is permitted for common use, is forbidden to be used for a mitzvah because they are abominable to the Almighty.
ד הַמַּלְבּוּשִׁים שֶׁלּוֹבְשִים הַכֹּהֲנִים כְּשֶׁנִּכְנָסִים לְבֵית עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, יֵשׁ אוֹמְרִים, דְּנוֹי שֶׁלָּהֶם הֵן, וְלֹא נוֹי שֶׁל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְאֵינָן צְרִיכִין בִּטּוּל. וְיֵשׁ שֶמַּצְרִיךְ בִּטּוּל.
4 Regarding the clothing that the priests wear when they enter the house of idol worship, some Poskim maintain that they are ornaments of the priests and not ornaments of the idols, and therefore do not require annulment; while other Poskim require their annullment.
ה צוּרַת שְׁתִי וָעֶרֶב שֶמִּשְׁתַּחֲוִים לָהּ, אֲסוּרָה בְּלֹא בִטּוּל. אֲבָל שְׁתִי וָעֶרֶב שֶׁתּוֹלִין בַּצַוָּאר לְזִכָּרוֹן בְּעָלְמָא, מֻתָּר.
5 A cross to which they bow down, is a forbidden object unless it is annulled, but a cross that is hung around the neck, as a momento is a permitted object [from which profit may be derived].
ו אָסוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת שׁוּם דָּבָר לְצֹרֶךְ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ חַלּוֹנוֹת לְהַבָּיִת. וְאָסוּר לִמְכֹּר לָהֶם סְפָרִים הַמְיֻחָדִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה. [וְכֵן סִפְרֵי תנ"ך הַמֻּעְתָּקִים בְּשִׁנּוּיִים, כְּדֵי לְפָקְרָם וּלְהַחֲזִיק אֱמוּנָתָם]. וְכֵן לִמְכֹּר לָהֶם דָּבָר לְצֹרֶךְ עֲבוֹדָתָם, אָסוּר אִם לֹא יוּכְלוּ לִקְנוֹת בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר. וְיֵשׁ אוֹסְרִין אֲפִילּוּ אִם יוּכְלוּ לִקְנוֹת בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר. וְכָל בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ, יַחְמִיר לְעַצְמוֹ.
6 It is forbidden to make anything that is needed for idols; even windows for the house of idol worship. It is forbidden to sell books that are exclusive to idol worship, [or books of Biblical Scriptures, that were copied with alterations designed to make them heretical and to strengthen their beliefs.] Similarly, selling them something that they need for their worship is forbidden, if they cannot purchase them elsewhere. Some Poskim forbid this even when they are able to purchase the same thing elsewhere, and a righteous person, should be strict regarding this.
ז אָסוּר לְהִסְתַּכֵּל בָּאֱלִיל וּבַנוֹי שֶׁלּוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, אַל תִּפְנוּ אֶל הָאֱלִילִים. וּצְרִיכִין לְהִתְרַחֵק מִן הַבַּיִת וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן מִן הָאֱלִיל עַצְמוֹ אַרְבַּע אַמּוֹת, שֶׁלֹּא לַעֲבֹר שָׁם. וְאָסוּר לִשְמֹעַ כְּלִי הַשִׁיר אוֹ לְהָרִיחַ בְּרֵיחַ שֶׁלָּהֶם. וְאִם שׁוֹמֵעַ כְּלִי הַשִּׁיר, יַאְטֵם אָזְנָיו. וְכֵן אִם בָּא רֵיחַ, יְכַוֵּן שֶׁלֹּא לֵהָנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ.
7 It is forbidden to gaze at an idol or at its ornaments, as it is said, "Do not turn to idols." You must keep a distance of four amohs from a house of idolatry, and certainly from the idol itself so as not to pass by them. It is forbidden to listen to their musical instruments, or to smell their incense. If you hear their musical instruments, you should plug your ears, and if the aroma of their incense comes to you, have in mind not to derive pleasure from it.
ח הָרוֹאֶה בָּתֵּי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בְּיִשׁוּבָן, אוֹמֵר, בֵּית גֵּאִים יִסַּח ה' (משלי ט״ו:כ״ה). בְּחֻרְבָּנָן, אוֹמֵר, אֵל נְקָמוֹת ה', אֵל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ (תהילים צ״ד:א׳).
8 If you see houses of idolatry in a settled state you should say: "God will uproot the house of the haughty." (If you see them) in a state of destruction, you should say: "Almighty of vengeance, God, Almighty of vengeance, reveal Yourself."
ט יָשַׁב לוֹ קוֹץ בְּרַגְלוֹ, אוֹ נִתְפַּזְּרו לוֹ מָעוֹת בִּפְנֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, לֹא יָֹשֹחַ לְהָסִיר אֶת הַקּוֹץ אוֹ לִטּוֹל אֶת הַמָּעוֹת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנִּרְאֶה כְּמִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לָהּ. וַאֲפִלּוּ אֵין אָדָם רוֹאֶה, מִכָּל מָקוֹם אָסוּר, אֶלָּא יֵשֵׁב אוֹ יַפְנֶה אֲחוֹרָיו אוֹ צִדּוֹ לְצַד הָעֲבוֹדָה הַזָּרָה, וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִטּוֹל.
9 If a splinter has lodged in your foot, or if your coins were scattered, in front of an idol, you must not bend down to remove the splinter, or to gather the coins, because it would appear as though you are bowing to the idol. Even if there is no one to witness it, it is nevertheless forbidden. You should rather sit down, or turn your back, or your side to the idol and then take whatever you need.
י יֵשׁ מִי שֶׁאוֹמֵר, שֶׁאָסוּר לְהַלְווֹת לְצֹרֶךְ בִּנְיַן עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה אוֹ לְתַכְשִׁיטֶיהָ אוֹ לִמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן דְּאָסוּר לִמְכֹּר לָהֶם תַּשְׁמִיֹשִׁים. וְהַנִּמְנָע, מַצְלִיחַ. וְאֵין לִכְרֹךְ סִפְרֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, חוּץ מִסִּפְרֵי הַדַּיָנִים וְהַסּוֹפְרִים. וְאִם חושׁשׁ מִשׁוּם אֵיבָה, עַל כָּל פָּנִים כָּל מַה שֶׁיָכוֹל לְהִשָּׁמֵט, יִשָּׁמֵט.
10 There is an authority who says that it is forbidden to lend money for the purpose of building a house of idolatry, or for their ornaments or for their staff. And you most certainly are forbidden to sell them ornaments. He who refrains from doing these things will prosper. You should not bind books dealing with idolatry; except for their law books and literature. [Even] if you fear this will incur their hatred, nevertheless, whatever you can do to evade doing so, you must evade it.
יא מָקוֹם שֶׁמִּתְקַבְּצִים גּוֹיִם וְאוֹמְרִים שֶׁשָׁם מוֹחֲלִים לָהֶם עֲוֹנוֹתֵיהֶם, אָסוּר לָשֵׂאת וְלָתֵת שָׁם עִמָּהֶם (כֵּן כָּתַב הַטּוּרֵי זָהָב, וּבְחָכְמַת אָדָם כְּלָל פז סִימָן ה כָּתַב דְּצָרִיךְ עִיּוּן).
11 In a place where Gentiles assemble, and say that there they are forgiven their iniquities, it is forbidden to do business with them there.
יב אָסוּר לְהַזְכִּיר שֵׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, בֵּין לְצֹרֶךְ, כְּגוֹן לוֹמַר לַחֲבֵרוֹ, הַמְתֵּן לִי בְּצַד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה פְּלוֹנִית, בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא לְצֹרֶךְ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, וְשֵׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים לֹא תַזְכִּירו. וְאָסוּר לִגְרֹם לַגּוֹי, שֶיַזְכִּיר שֵׁם עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַל פִּיךָ, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע בִּגְרָמָא שֶׁלָּךְ. וְאִם נִתְחַיֵב לוֹ הַגּוֹי שְׁבוּעָה, יֵשׁ מְקִלִּין לְהַנִּיחַ לוֹ לִשָּׁבֵע (עַיֵּן אוֹרַח חַיִּים סִימָן קנו). שֵׁם הַחַגִּים שֶׁלָּהֶם שֶׁהֵם כִּשְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי אָדָם, אֵין חֲשָׁשׁ לְהַזְכִּירָם. וְהוּא, שֶׁלֹּא יִקְרָאֵם כְּמוֹ שֶׁהַגּוּיִם מַזְכִּירִים אוֹתָם בִּלְשׁוֹן חֲשִׁיבוּת.
12 It is forbidden to mention the name of an idol, whether for some purpose, like saying to your friend: "Wait for me near such and such idol," or without a purpose, as it is said, "And the name of other gods you shall not mention." It is forbidden to cause a Gentile to mention the name of an idol, as it is said, "It shall not be heard by your mouth," that is, it should not be heard because of you. However, if a Gentile is obligated to you to take an oath (as in a law suit), some Poskim are lenient and permit him to swear [by his idol.] The names of their holidays, which are named after people, may be mentioned without reservation; this is provided you do not refer to them in the same way the Gentiles do, in a manner indicative of respect.
יג כָּל לֵצְנוּתָא אֲסִירָא, חוּץ מִלֵּצָנוּתָא דַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה דְשַׁרְיָא.
13 All kinds of mockery are forbidden, except mockery of idols which is permitted.
יד אָסוּר לִתֵּן מַתְּנַת חִנָם לְגוֹי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַכִּירוֹ, דִּכְתִיב, וְלֹא תְחָנֵם, וְדָרְשֵׁינָן לֹא תִתֵּן לָהֶם מַתְּנַת חִנָם. אֲבָל אִם הוּא מַכִּירוֹ, לֹא הֲוֵי מַתְּנַת חִנָּם, שֶׁגַּם הוּא יְשַּׁלֵּם גְּמוּלוֹ, אוֹ כְּבָר שִׁלַּם לוֹ, וַהֲוֵי כְּמוֹ מְכִירָה.
14 It is forbidden to give a gift to a Gentile that is not your acquaintance, as it is written, "You shall not show them grace;" and this is explained, "You shall not give them a free gift." But, if he is an acquaintance, it is not considered a free gift, for in time he will return this favor, or he has already compensated for it, and it is like a sale (and not a gift).
טו אָסוּר לְסַפֵּר בְּשִׁבְחָן, אֲפִלּוּ לוֹמַר, כַּמָּה נָאָה גּוֹי זֶה בְּצוּרָתוֹ. וּמִכָּל שֶׁכֵּן שֶׁלֹּא לְספֵּר בְּשֶׁבַח מַעֲשָׂיו אוֹ שֶׁיְחַבֵב דָּבָר מִדְבָרָיו, שֶׁזֶּהוּ גַם כֵּן בִּכְלַל וְלֹא תְחָנֵם, לֹא תִתֵּן לָהֶם חֵן. אֲבָל אִם מְכַוֵּן בְּשִׁבְחוֹ לְהוֹדוֹת לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁבָּרָא בְּרִיָה נָאָה כָּזוֹ, מֻתָּר.
15 It is forbidden to praise them, even as much as to say, "How handsome that Gentile is," and certainly you are not to speak in praise of his deeds, or to cherish any of his utterances, for this is also included [in the negative command] "You shall not show them grace," that is, do not ascribe any grace to them. But if your intention by praising him, is to give thanks to the Holy One, Blessed be He, for having created such a handsome being, it is permissible.
טז מֻתָּר לְפַרְנֵס עֲנִיֵיהֶם וּלְבַקֵּר חוֹלֵיהֶם וְלִקְבּוֹר מֵתֵיהֶם וּלְהַסְפִּידָן וּלְנַחֵם אֲבֵלֵיהֶם, מִשּׁוּם דַּרְכֵי שָלוֹם.
16 It is permitted to help their poor, visit their sick, bury their dead, eulogize them, and console their mourners, for the purpose of maintaining peaceful relations with them.
יז לֹא יִתְיַחֵד יִשְֹרָאֵל עִם גּוֹי, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵם חֲֹשוּדִים עַל שְׁפִיכוּת דָמִים (וְעַיֵּן יוֹרֶה דֵעָה סִימָן קנג)
17 A Jew should not be alone with a Gentile, because they are suspect to commit homicide.
יח גּוֹיָה לֹא תַנִיק לְיֶלֶד יִשְֹרָאֵל בְּבֵיתָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ אֲחֵרִים עוֹמְדִים עַל גַּבָּהּ. אֲבָל בְּבֵית יִשְֹרָאֵל, מֻתֶּרֶת לְהֵנִיקוֹ (וְעַיֵּן לְעֵיל סִימָן קסה סָעִיף ח) אִם אֲחֵרִים עוֹמְדִים עַל גַּבָּהּ אוֹ נִכְנָסִים וְיוֹצְאִים. וְהוּא שֶׁלֹּא יַנִּיחֶנּוּ עִמָּה לְבַדּוֹ בַּלָיְלָה.
18 A non-Jewess must not be allowed to nurse a Jewish child in her own house, even in the presence of others. But in the house of a Jew, she is permitted to nurse him when others are present, [or at least if they are] going in and out, provided that they do not leave him alone with her at night.
יט יִשְֹרָאֵלית לֹא תְיַלֵּד לַגּוֹיָה, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן הִיא יְדוּעָה לִמְיַלֶּדֶת, שֶׁאָז מֻתֶּרֶת (מִשּׁוּם אֵיבָה). וְדַוְקָא בְּשָׂכָר וּבְחֹל. וְלֹא תֵנִיק יִשְֹרָאֵלית לְבֶן גוֹיָה אֲפִלּוּ בְּשָׂכָר, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן יֵשׁ לָהּ חָלָב הַרְבֵּה וּמְצַעֵר אוֹתָהּ, אָז מֻתֶּרֶת לְהֵנִיקוֹ.
19 A Jewess should not act as midwife for a non-Jewess, unless she is known to be a [professional] midwife, for then it is permitted (so as not to incur hated). This too is permitted only if she is compensated and only on a weekday. A Jewess should not nurse a non-Jewish child, even if she is compensated. If she is engorged with milk and it is causing her discomfort; she is permitted to nurse him.
כ אָסוּר לְלַמֵּד אֻמָּנוּת לַגוֹי.
20 It is forbidden to teach a trade to a Gentile.
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