Q&A: Do Not Show Them Favor
Do Not Show Them Favor
Question
Hello, honored Rabbi.
Regarding the prohibition against showing favor to a gentile (let’s assume we’re talking only about idol worshippers). Am I forbidden to praise, for example, Messi because he is a believing Christian? What about great philosophers, artists, and all kinds of non-Jews who practiced idolatry but were also talented, beautiful, or had some other admirable quality?
Thank you, Rabbi!
Answer
It is obvious that this is permitted, and even appropriate. For a halakhic survey, see here: https://asif.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/7-76.pdf
Beyond what he writes, it seems to me that nowadays the situation is different, and there is no room for this prohibition (unless one is praising the idolatry itself or its accessories). Both because there is no concern that one will be drawn after it, and because this is part of normal civilized conduct nowadays, and also because the status of today’s gentiles is different (as in the well-known Meiri).