Q&A: Do Not Show Them Favor
Do Not Show Them Favor
Question
Hello, honorable Rabbi,
At work I received support from a non-Jew from India.
He helped me solve a problem. True, he wasn’t doing me a personal favor, since we pay him for this.
He asked me to write him words of praise for the help, and that would help him in his work conditions.
My question is: is there a concern here of “do not show them favor” in this matter? Because India still has many idol worshippers.
On the other hand, he knows I’m from Israel — I’m concerned he’ll say, “The Jews are ungrateful.”
Thank you!
Answer
A difficult question on the halakhic level, although morally it seems obvious that it is permitted and proper.
In my opinion, one can be lenient halakhically for several reasons (aside from the desecration of God’s name that you mentioned):
This review is for the benefit of future customers who will benefit from him.
The prohibition may apply only to the seven Canaanite nations. There are opinions like that.
Perhaps he is not an idol worshipper.
Perhaps there is no prohibition even regarding idol worshippers if they are bound by the norms of civilized society, as Meiri writes.
Here there is no concern that you will be drawn after his ways.
The prohibition, plainly speaking, is not from the Torah, and therefore in a case of doubt one may be lenient.
Thank you very much!