Q&A: Religions That Are Not Idolatry
Religions That Are Not Idolatry
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What practical difference does it make for us as Jews if a given religion is defined as one that is not idolatry?
For example, what is the law regarding “sacred objects” of religions that are not defined as idolatry? For instance, a cross according to the opinion that Christianity is not idolatry. From their perspective, this is a “sacred object” even if no divinity is attributed to it. Or statues of Christian saints that are not worshipped but are used to represent exemplary figures (analogous, though obviously different, to pictures of rabbis to keep mice away…? And I also know the Rabbi’s view that this too is idolatry 🙂 and even so I haven’t heard that anyone prohibits possessing or deriving benefit from that picture…)
Answer
Where did you see that in my view this is idolatry? Maybe some other prohibitions? Things associated with it?
If there is a religion that is not idolatry, its ritual objects do not receive the status of accessories of idolatry. I didn’t understand the question.
Discussion on Answer
If Christianity is not idolatry, then apparently there is no prohibition. As is well known, the halakhic decisors are divided on this. However, even if Christianity is idolatry, a cross that is kept in a home and not in a church is not used for worship, and therefore the halakhic decisors disagreed about whether it falls under the category of idolatry. See, for example, here: https://halachayomit.co.il/he/default.aspx?HalachaID=1237
See also the responsa of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef of blessed memory (Yabia Omer, vol. 10, Yoreh De’ah, sec. 14), where he discussed this.
If the method of execution used by the ancient Romans had been a torture wheel, and not a cross as Jesus experienced, would the question then be whether we are allowed to keep a spare tire in the car?
So, strictly speaking, is it permitted for a Jew to keep a cross or a Christian icon in his possession?