Q&A: Entering a House of Idol Worship
Entering a House of Idol Worship
Question
Hello Rabbi,
From studying the Daf Yomi I became uncertain about the following question: in the Mishnah in Avodah Zarah 11 it says that one should not go to a fair associated with idol worship. And in the Talmud there on 17 there is a doubt whether it is preferable to walk ליד a house of idol worship or ליד a brothel. But Maimonides in the Mishneh Torah did not rule explicitly as Jewish law that one may not enter a house of idol worship, and the Shulchan Arukh also rules (Yoreh De’ah 150:1), “It is a commandment to keep four cubits away from the way of idolaters.” That seems to imply there is no sweeping formal prohibition here. And Maimonides wrote in his commentary to the Mishnah (chapter 1, mishnah 4): “Therefore, know that any city of a nation in which they have a house of prayer that is a house of star-worship—without doubt, it is forbidden intentionally to pass through that city, and all the more so to live in it. But we are under their power because of our sins, and dwell in their lands under compulsion, and thus there has been fulfilled in us what is said (Deuteronomy 4), ‘And there you shall serve gods, the work of human hands, wood and stone.’ And if that is the law regarding the city, then all the more so regarding the actual house of idol worship itself, which is for us almost forbidden even to see, and certainly to enter.” The Shakh cites his words (Yoreh De’ah 149:1). And I saw that the halakhic decisors, on the basis of Maimonides’ words, take the view that there is an absolute prohibition on entering a house of idol worship (and they discuss this regarding entering churches), but seemingly Maimonides’ words do not indicate that there is a formal prohibition to enter a house of idol worship. Just as we do not see anyone refraining from living in Jerusalem or another city that has churches, so too seemingly, just as there is no formal prohibition on living in a city that has idol worship, there is no formal prohibition on entering a house of idol worship. That would explain why Maimonides did not codify this as a fixed halakhic ruling in the Mishneh Torah; and even the wording of the Shulchan Arukh does not indicate a formal prohibition. According to this understanding, nowadays when people enter churches/mosques as part of sightseeing, with no interest at all in the religious aspect, seemingly there should be no problem. But I looked and did not see any discussion at all among the halakhic decisors of this line of reasoning (other than discussions about how to classify Christianity and Islam, etc.). What do you think?
Thank you, and Sabbath peace
Answer
Actually living in such a place, or passing by such a place, can rely on the rule of “it is unavoidable and one does not intend it” (see Bava Batra 57, and in my column 487). But entering such a place is not justified by that leniency.
Discussion on Answer
Can it also be understood from the sources mentioned there that this is not a formal prohibition,
and that from the fact that the medieval authorities discuss whether one would have to be killed rather than transgress, that itself indicates it—that is, we are dealing with suspicion of idol worship (and not a standalone prohibition), and the logic for being stringent is itself the logic for being lenient, namely that where there is no suspicion at all, there is no prohibition?
It’s all written there. What is the question?
Sorry for not understanding. What I mean to ask is this: similar to what you discussed in column 499 regarding modesty, when it comes to entering a place of idol worship, is there an independent prohibition regardless of circumstances, or is this a prohibition meant as a general guideline to avoid following idol worship, as well as actions that create suspicion of idol worship? If we understand that it is not an independent prohibition, then seemingly when one enters a mosque/church as part of touring, there is no prohibition. What do you think?
And what do you think about the understanding that there is no formal prohibition on entering a house of idol worship, and therefore, if it is by way of touring, seemingly there is no prohibition?