Accepting charity from idolatrous sources - Printable Version +- Ask Noah Q&A Forum (https://www.asknoah.org/forum) +-- Forum: Living the Seven Commandments (https://www.asknoah.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=1) +--- Forum: Ask The Academy Rabbis (https://www.asknoah.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=2) +---- Forum: Prohibition of Idolatry (R) (https://www.asknoah.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +---- Thread: Accepting charity from idolatrous sources (/showthread.php?tid=180) |
Accepting charity from idolatrous sources - bdschuh - 09-01-2008 May I benefit from a house of idolatry?-- a place whose primary purpose is to serve idols, or a house of worship that contains idols, either during or not during the worship ceremony. Such as, accepting free food from their food pantry, attending self help groups within the adjoining rooms of the house, voting in a place which contains idols. May I be in the same room with an idol, if that room is adjoining a house of worship? May I drink wine or eat meat that may have been dedicated to an idol, but I just don't know? May I eat meat or drink wine that I do know has been offered to an idol? What if a house of idolatry contains no idols that I can see readily, may I go there until I do see an idol? What if it is house of an idolatry that doesn't have a physical representation the idol in of itself? G-d bless. RE: a benefit from idolatry - Director Michael - 09-28-2008 The following answers apply for Gentiles. (A Jew should consult with his local Orthodox Rabbi, regarding the particulars of his individual situation.) Q: May I benefit from a house of idolatry?-- a place whose primary purpose is to serve idols, or a house of worship that contains idols, either during or not during the worship ceremony. Such as, accepting free food from their food pantry? A: Yes, you may accept free food from their food pantry if it has not been presented as an offering to an idol, and if it does not require that you be subjected to any efforts to convince you to accept the idol. Q: ... attending self-help groups within the adjoining rooms of the house? A: Yes, if there is no attempt being made to convince you to accept the idol. Q: ... voting in a place which contains idols. A: Yes, if there is no alternative. You can avoid this ahead of time if you vote by absentee ballot. Q: May I be in the same room with an idol, if that room is adjoining a house of worship? A: Only if and as long as there is a practical need. Q: May I eat meat or drink wine that I do know has been offered to an idol? NO (unless it is necessary to save a life). Q: May I drink wine or eat meat that may have been dedicated to an idol, but I just don't know? A: Yes, unless you know there is a high probability that it was offered ("dedicated") to an idol. Q: What if a house of idolatry contains no idols that I can see readily. May I go there until I do see an idol? What if it is house of an idolatry that doesn't have a physical representation the idol in of itself? A: The guidelines are the same as those above. Note: The permission to enter for some overriding practical need only applies if there is not any worship service for the idol being conducted at the time. RE: Accepting charity from idolatrous sources - Johnzo - 10-08-2010 I am looking to do some charity work around my community (such as directly feed the hungry and homeless), but the only places that offer such services are in non-Torah houses of worship. I'm a Noahide, and given that these are the only places that provide these helpful services, would it be permissible for me to take part in giving a helping hand there? I'm not sure if the places in question try to push their idolatrous beliefs on the people they are helping, or if they are providing food and care... if they were just providing food, am I right in assuming it would be OK for me to help? If they were missionizing, I would obviously take no part. Thanks for you help. RE: Accepting charity from idolatrous sources - Director Michael - 10-11-2010 I would be surprised if those local religious organizations are actually short-staffed for volunteers. They probably have enough volunteers from within their ranks to disburse the amount of services that they are providing. Why don't you try looking for other opportunities for needed volunteer services, that are administered by non-denominational organizations? There are probably some much-needed services that could really use more volunteer manpower. |