04-19-2010, 03:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-19-2010, 04:02 PM by Rabbi Moshe Weiner.)
If the private home celebration of an idolatrous holiday is only practiced out of custom, surely it is permitted for a Noahide to attend. But, if there are some of the family members that make this into a religous service of idol worhship, it is forbidden.
It is permitted for a Noahide to attend even if the minority of the assembly is involved with an idolatrous service but the majority is not, IF it would lead to strife should the Noahide refuse to attend.
The majority or minority mentioned is in regard to the activities being held. For example: a short prayer to an idol, only before the celebration begins, would be a minor factor. But continuous or frequent acts throughout the celebration that are associated with serving or praising the idol are forbidden, even if strife may occur. Likewise if the dominant spirit of the celebration is focussed on the idol.
See "The Divine Code," Volume 1, Prohibition of Idolatry, topic 2:3.
It seems to be more questonable for a Jew to attend in the above circumstances. Taz on the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 151) forbids a Jew to participate in this situation even if strife would occur.
It is permitted for a Noahide to attend even if the minority of the assembly is involved with an idolatrous service but the majority is not, IF it would lead to strife should the Noahide refuse to attend.
The majority or minority mentioned is in regard to the activities being held. For example: a short prayer to an idol, only before the celebration begins, would be a minor factor. But continuous or frequent acts throughout the celebration that are associated with serving or praising the idol are forbidden, even if strife may occur. Likewise if the dominant spirit of the celebration is focussed on the idol.
See "The Divine Code," Volume 1, Prohibition of Idolatry, topic 2:3.
It seems to be more questonable for a Jew to attend in the above circumstances. Taz on the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 151) forbids a Jew to participate in this situation even if strife would occur.