10-03-2010, 05:56 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-03-2010, 06:01 PM by Director Michael.)
From "The Divine Code," Volume 1, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, p. 144-145:
One is forbidden to listen to music of idol worship services, and it is forbidden to smell the aroma of idols or their incenses, or to gaze on the decorations and splendor of the idol or its ornaments, because a person benefits from all these things, and it is forbidden to benefit from idol worship, or to turn to it. If a person encounters things of this nature, he is not required to leave his path in order to avoid them, as long as he does not intend to benefit from these things or to gaze intently at them.
The reason for these prohibitions is to guard against the danger of looking favorably toward any idols, so one will not be drawn toward their service, or to believe in them or the legends of their actions.
Nevertheless, one who wishes to look at an idol or a house of idol worship for purposes of business, or learning a craft, or to hear their songs for such purposes, is not forbidden to do so.
[However, this is forbidden for a Jew, because of the prohibition "Do not turn to the idols" (Leviticus 19:4). The basic reason for all the mentioned prohibitions for Gentiles is precaution, lest one be drawn after an idol. But when there are practical reasons it is permitted. This constitutes the basic difference between this command to Jews and to Gentiles. The Jewish prohibition, even though logically based, is obligatory in any case. But the Gentile is prohibited from a totally rational basis, so therefore in specific instances when there are other logically overriding considerations, the prohibition is lifted.]
One is forbidden to listen to music of idol worship services, and it is forbidden to smell the aroma of idols or their incenses, or to gaze on the decorations and splendor of the idol or its ornaments, because a person benefits from all these things, and it is forbidden to benefit from idol worship, or to turn to it. If a person encounters things of this nature, he is not required to leave his path in order to avoid them, as long as he does not intend to benefit from these things or to gaze intently at them.
The reason for these prohibitions is to guard against the danger of looking favorably toward any idols, so one will not be drawn toward their service, or to believe in them or the legends of their actions.
Nevertheless, one who wishes to look at an idol or a house of idol worship for purposes of business, or learning a craft, or to hear their songs for such purposes, is not forbidden to do so.
[However, this is forbidden for a Jew, because of the prohibition "Do not turn to the idols" (Leviticus 19:4). The basic reason for all the mentioned prohibitions for Gentiles is precaution, lest one be drawn after an idol. But when there are practical reasons it is permitted. This constitutes the basic difference between this command to Jews and to Gentiles. The Jewish prohibition, even though logically based, is obligatory in any case. But the Gentile is prohibited from a totally rational basis, so therefore in specific instances when there are other logically overriding considerations, the prohibition is lifted.]