Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we learn the halachos of how a Yid must distance himself from the avodah zarah of the non-Jews around him, specifically regarding business dealings and social interactions during their holidays. Hashem wants us to be a holy nation, so the Chachamim put safeguards in place to ensure we do not assist them in their idol worship or cause them to offer thanks to their false deities.
We will also learn about the prohibitions against selling items that could be used directly for avodah zarah, as well as dangerous items like weapons that could bring harm to the public. The Rambam guides us in how to navigate these halachos in Eretz Yisrael versus Chutz la'Aretz, and how to handle situations where we must maintain peaceful relations with the local government.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן עִם עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים לִפְנֵי חַגֵּיהֶםHalacha 1 · Prohibition of Business Transactions with Idolaters Before Their Festivals
שְׁלֹשָׁהThreeיָמִיםdaysלִפְנֵיbeforeחַגָּםtheir festivalשֶׁלofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִקַּחto buyמֵהֶםfrom themוְלִמְכֹּרand to sellלָהֶםto themדָּבָרa thingהַמִּתְקַיֵּם,that enduresלִלְווֹתto borrowמֵהֶןfrom themוּלְהַלְווֹתָם,and to lend to themלִפָּרַעto collect paymentמֵהֶןfrom themוְלִפְרֹעַand to payלָהֶםto themמִלְוֶּהa loanבִּשְׁטָרwith a documentאוֹorעַלuponהַמַּשְׁכּוֹןa collateralאֲבָלbutמִלְוֶּהa loanעַלbyפֶּהmouthנִפְרָעִיןwe collectמֵהֶןfrom themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isכְּמַצִּילlike savingמִיָּדָם.from their handוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלִמְכֹּרto sellלָהֶןto themדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notמִתְקַיֵּםenduringכְּגוֹןsuch asיְרָקוֹתvegetablesוְתַבְשִׁילand a cooked dishעַדuntilיוֹםthe day ofחַגָּם.their festivalבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֲבָלbutבִּשְׁאָרin the rest ofאֲרָצוֹתlandsאֵינוֹit is notאָסוּרforbiddenאֶלָּאexceptיוֹםthe day ofחַגָּםtheir festivalבִּלְבַד.aloneעָבַרIf he transgressedוְנָשָׂאand conducted businessוְנָתַןand gaveעִמָּהֶןwith themבְּאוֹתָןduring thoseהַשְּׁלֹשָׁהthreeיָמִיםdaysהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitוְהַנּוֹשֵׂאand one who conducts businessוְנוֹתֵןand givesבְּיוֹםon the day ofחַגָּםtheir festivalעִמָּהֶןwith themהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה:for benefit
The Sages prohibited business dealings with idolaters before their festivals to prevent them from thanking their idols, distinguishing between Eretz Yisrael and other lands.
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אִסּוּר מִשְׁלוֹחַ וְקַבָּלַת דּוֹרוֹנוֹת מִנָּכְרִי בְּיוֹם אֵידוֹHalacha 2 · Prohibition of Sending and Receiving Gifts from a Non-Jew on His Holiday
וְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלִשְׁלֹחַto sendדּוֹרוֹןa giftלְכוּתִיto a non-Jewבְּיוֹםon the day ofאֵידוֹhis holidayאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·נוֹדַעit is knownלוֹto himשֶׁאֵינוֹthat he does notמוֹדֶהacknowledgeבַּעֲבוֹדַתthe worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְאֵינוֹand he does notעוֹבְדָהּ.worship itוְכֵןAnd similarlyכּוּתִיa non-Jewשֶׁשָּׁלַחwho sentדּוֹרוֹןa giftלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto a Jewבְּיוֹםon the day ofחַגּוֹhis festivalלֹאhe should notיְקַבְּלֶנּוּaccept itמִמֶּנּוּ.from himוְאִםAnd ifחָשַׁשׁhe fearedלְאֵיבָהfor ill-feelingנוֹטְלוֹhe may take itבְּפָנָיוin his presenceוְאֵינוֹand he may notנֶהֱנֶהbenefitבּוֹfrom itעַדuntilשֶׁיִּוָּדַעit becomes knownלוֹto himשֶׁזֶּהthat thisהַכּוּתִיnon-Jewאֵינוֹdoes notעוֹבֵדworshipכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְאֵינוֹand does notמוֹדֶהacknowledgeבָּהּ:it
The Rambam rules that one may not exchange gifts with an idolater on his holiday to avoid encouraging or participating in his celebration, unless refusing would cause dangerous ill-feeling.
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אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן בְּחַגֵּי עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים הַנִּמְשָׁכִים יָמִים רַבִּיםHalacha 3 · The Prohibition of Business Transactions During Multi-Day Festivals of Idolaters
הָיָהIf wasאֵידָןthe festivalשֶׁלofאוֹתָןthoseעַכּוּ"םidolatersיָמִיםdaysהַרְבֵּהmanyשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeאוֹorאַרְבָּעָהfourאוֹorעֲשָׂרָהtenכָּלallאוֹתָןthoseהַיָּמִיםdaysכְּיוֹםlike dayאֶחָדoneהֵןthey areוְכֻלָּןand all of themאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenעִםwithג'threeיָמִיםdaysלִפְנֵיהֶן:before them
This halacha teaches that if an idolatrous festival spans multiple days, the entire period is treated as a single continuous festival, and the prohibition of business transactions extends to all of those days as well as the three days preceding them.
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אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן עִם עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים לִפְנֵי חַגֵּיהֶםHalacha 4 · Prohibition of Business Transactions with Idolaters Before Their Festivals
כְּנַעֲנִיםCanaanitesעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמַזָּלוֹתand constellationsהֵםthey areוְיוֹםand dayרִאשׁוֹןfirstהוּאit isיוֹםday ofאֵידָם.their festivalלְפִיכָךְthereforeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלָתֵתto giveוְלָשֵׂאתand to takeעִמָּהֶםwith themבְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelיוֹםdayחֲמִישִׁיfifthוְיוֹםand dayשִׁשִּׁיsixthשֶׁבְּכָלthat is in everyשַׁבָּתweekוְשַׁבָּתand weekוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayיוֹםdayרִאשׁוֹןfirstעַצְמוֹitselfשֶׁהוּאwhich itאָסוּרis forbiddenבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹם.placeוְכֵןand soנוֹהֲגִיןwe conductעִמָּהֶםwith themבְּכָלon all ofאֵידֵיהֶם:their festivals
This halacha details the restrictions on conducting business with idolaters in the days leading up to their weekly and annual festivals.
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אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן בְּחַגֵּי עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל יָחִידHalacha 5 · Prohibition of Business on Individual Festivals of Idolaters
יוֹםA dayשֶׁמִּתְכַּנְּסִיןthat gatherבּוֹon itעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְהַעֲמִידto establishלָהֶןfor themselvesמֶלֶךְa kingוּמַקְרִיבִיןand they sacrificeוּמְקַלְּסִיםand praiseלֵאלֹהֵיהֶםto their godsיוֹםthe day ofחַגָּםtheir festivalהוּאitוַהֲרֵיand beholdהוּאitכִּשְׁאָרis like the rest ofחַגֵּיהֶםtheir festivalsאֲבָלbutעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁעוֹשֶׂהwho makesהוּאheחַגa festivalלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfוּמוֹדֶהand thanksלְכוֹכָבthe starשֶׁלּוֹhisוּמְקַלְּסוֹand praises itבְּיוֹםon the dayשֶׁנּוֹלַדthat was bornבּוֹon itוְיוֹםand the day ofתִּגְלַחַתshaving ofזְקָנוֹhis beardאוֹorבְּלוֹרִיתוֹhis hair-lockוְיוֹםand the dayשֶׁעָלָהthat he went upבּוֹon itמִןfromהַיָּםthe seaוְשֶׁיָּצָאand that he went outמִבֵּיתfrom the house ofהָאֲסוּרִיםthe prisonersוְיוֹםand the dayשֶׁעָשָׂהthat he madeבּוֹon itמִשְׁתֶּהa feastלִבְנוֹfor his sonוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּאֵלּוּof theseאֵינוֹis notאָסוּרforbiddenאֶלָּאexceptאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹםdayוְאוֹתוֹand thatהָאִישׁmanבִּלְבַד.aloneוְכֵןand likewiseיוֹםa dayשֶׁיָּמוּתthat diesלָהֶןfor themבּוֹon itמֵתa dead personוְיַעֲשׂוּהוּand they make itחַגa festivalאוֹתָםthoseהָעוֹשִׂיםwho makeאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenאוֹתוֹthatהַיּוֹם.dayוְכָלand anyמִיתָהdeathשֶׁשּׂוֹרְפִיןthat they burnבָּהּat itכֵּלִיםvesselsוּמְקַטְּרִיםand burnקְטֹרֶתincenseבְּיָדוּעַit is knownשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsאֵיןis notיוֹםthe day ofהֶחָגthe festivalאָסוּרforbiddenאֶלָּאexceptלְעוֹבְדֶיהָto its worshipersבִּלְבַד.aloneאֲבָלbutאוֹתָםthoseשֶׁשְּׂמֵחִיםwho rejoiceבּוֹon itוְאוֹכְלִיןand eatוְשׁוֹתִיןand drinkוּמְשַׁמְּרִיןand keepאוֹתוֹitמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמִנְהָגcustomאוֹorמִפְּנֵיbecause ofכְּבוֹדthe honor ofהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingאֲבָלbutהֵםtheyאֵיןdo notמוֹדִיןthankבּוֹitהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִיןare permittedלָשֵׂאתto giveוְלָתֵתand to takeעִמָּהֶן:with them
This halacha distinguishes between public idolatrous festivals and private celebrations of individual idolaters, defining who is forbidden to do business with on those days.
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אִסּוּר מְכִירַת תַּקְרוֹבֶת וְחֵפֶץ הַמְיֻחָד לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 6 · Prohibition of Selling Items Designated for Idol Worship
דְּבָרִיםItemsשֶׁהֵןthat areמְיֻחָדִיןdesignatedלְמִיןfor a typeמִמִּינֵיof types ofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipשֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹthat is in thatמָקוֹםplaceאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִמְכֹּרto sellלְעוֹבְדֵיto worshipers ofאוֹתָהּthatעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipשֶׁבְּאוֹתוֹthat is in thatהַמָּקוֹםplaceלְעוֹלָם.foreverוּדְבָרִיםand itemsשֶׁאֵינָןthat are notמְיֻחָדִיןdesignatedלָהּfor itמוֹכְרִיןwe sellאוֹתָםthemסְתָם.without specifyingוְאִםand ifפֵּרֵשׁspecifiedהָעוֹבֵדthe idolכּוֹכָבִיםworshiperשֶׁהוּאthat heקוֹנֶהis buyingאוֹתָםthemלַעֲבוֹדַתfor idolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִמְכֹּרto sellלוֹto himאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·פְּסָלוֹhe disqualified itמִלְּהַקְרִיבוֹfrom offering itלַעֲבוֹדַתto idolכּוֹכָבִים.worshipלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat they do notמַקְרִיבִיןofferחָסֵרa blemished animalלַעֲבוֹדַתto idolכּוֹכָבִים:worship
This halacha details the restrictions on selling items that are uniquely used for idolatrous worship to those who practice it.
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מְכִירַת תַּעֲרֹבֶת דְּבָרִים הַמְיֻחָדִין לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 7 · Selling Mixtures Containing Items Designated for Idol Worship
הָיוּIf they wereמְעֹרָבִיןmixedדְּבָרִיםarticlesהַמְיֻחָדִיןthat are designatedעִםwithדְּבָרִיםarticlesשֶׁאֵיןthat are notמְיֻחָדִיןdesignatedכְּגוֹןsuch asלְבוֹנָהfrankincenseזַכָּהpureבִּכְלַלwithinלְבוֹנָהfrankincenseשְׁחוֹרָהblackמוֹכֵרone may sellהַכּלthe wholeסְתָםwithout specifyingוְאֵיןand we do notחוֹשְׁשִׁיןsuspectשֶׁמָּאlestיְלַקֵּטhe will gatherהַזַּכָּהthe pureלְבַדָּהּaloneלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
It is permitted to sell a mixture of designated and non-designated items without fearing that the buyer will separate them for idolatrous use.
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אִסּוּר מְכִירַת כְּלֵי מַשְׁחִית וּדְבָרִים הַמַּזִּיקִים לְעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 8 · Prohibition of Selling Weapons and Harmful Items to Idolaters and Suspects
כְּשֵׁםJust asשֶׁאֵיןthat notמוֹכְרִיןwe sellלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsדְּבָרִיםthingsשֶׁמַּחֲזִיקִיןthat strengthenבָּהֶןwith themיְדֵיהֶןtheir handsלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsכָּךְsoאֵיןnotמוֹכְרִיןwe sellלָהֶםto themדָּבָרa thingשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבּוֹin itנֵזֶקdamageלָרַבִּיםto the publicכְּגוֹןsuch asדֻּבִּיםbearsוַאֲרָיוֹתand lionsוּכְלֵיand weapons ofזַיִןarmamentsוּכְבָלִיםand fettersוְשַׁלְשְׁלָאוֹת.and chainsוְאֵיןand notמַשְׁחִיזִיןdo we sharpenלָהֶםfor themאֶת—הַזַּיִן.the weaponsוְכָלand everythingשֶׁאָסוּרthat is forbiddenלְמָכְרוֹto sell itלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאָסוּרis forbiddenלְמָכְרוֹto sell itלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto a Jewהֶחָשׁוּדwho is suspectedלִמְכֹּרto sellלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְכֵןand likewiseאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִמְכֹּרto sellכְּלֵיweapons ofנֵזֶקdamageלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto a Jewishלִסְטִים:bandit
This halacha details the prohibition of selling weapons, dangerous animals, or restraints to idolaters or to Jews who might sell them to idolaters.
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מְכִירַת כְּלֵי זַיִן לְעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים וְהַלִּיכָה בְּעִיר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ עֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 9 · Selling Weapons to Idolaters and Walking Near a City of Idolatry
הָיוּWereיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelשׁוֹכְנִיםdwellingבֵּיןamongהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְכָרְתוּand they madeלָהֶםwith themבְּרִיתa covenantמֻתָּרit is permittedלִמְכֹּרto sellכְּלֵיweapons ofזַיִןarmourלְעַבְדֵיto the servants ofהַמֶּלֶךְthe kingוְגֵיסוֹתָיוand his legionsמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁעוֹשִׂיםthat they makeבָּהֶםwith themמִלְחָמָהwarעִםwithצָרֵיthe enemies ofהַמְּדִינָהthe provinceלְהַצִּילָהּto save itוְנִמְצְאוּand they are foundמְגִנִּיםprotectingעָלֵינוּusשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceאָנוּweשְׁרוּיִיןare dwellingבְּתוֹכָם.in their midstעִירA cityשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַלֵּךְto walkחוּצָהoutsideלָהּof itוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלְהִכָּנֵסto enterבְּתוֹכָהּ.into its midstהָיָהIf there wasחוּצָהoutsideלָהּof itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַלֵּךְto walkבְּתוֹכָהּ:in its midst
This halacha outlines the permission to sell weapons to the ruling authorities for mutual defense and the boundaries of walking near a city containing idolatry.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר מַעֲבָר בְּעִיר שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהּ עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 10 · Prohibition of Passing Through a City Containing an Idol
הַהוֹלֵךְOne who goesמִמָּקוֹםfrom a placeלְמָקוֹםto a placeאָסוּרit is forbiddenלוֹfor himלַעֲבֹרto passבְּעִירthrough a cityשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁהַדֶּרֶךְthat the roadמְיֻחֶדֶתis designatedלְאוֹתוֹto thatמָקוֹםplaceאֲבָלbutאִםifיֵשׁthere isשָׁםthereדֶּרֶךְa roadאַחֶרֶתanotherוְנִקְרָהand it happenedוְהָלַךְand he wentבְּזוֹon this oneמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha discusses the prohibition of traveling through a city where idolatry is practiced when an alternative route is available.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר בִּנְיַן כִּפַּת עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּשְׂכַר הַבּוֹנֶהHalacha 11 · Prohibition of Building an Idolatrous Dome and the Permissibility of the Wages
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלִבְנוֹתto buildעִםwithהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshippers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsכִּפָּהa domeשֶׁמַּעֲמִידִיםthat they set upבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְאִםand ifעָבַרhe transgressedוּבָנָהand builtשְׂכָרוֹhis wageמֻתָּר.is permittedאֲבָלbutבּוֹנֶהbuildsהוּאheלְכַתְּחִלָּהab initioהַטְּרַקְלִיןthe palaceאוֹorהֶחָצֵרthe courtyardשֶׁיֵּשׁthat there isבָּהּin itאוֹתָהּthatהַכִּפָּה:dome
This halacha discusses the prohibition of building a dome specifically designated for housing an idol, while permitting the wages post facto and allowing the construction of the surrounding palace or courtyard.
הל׳ יב
חֲנֻיּוֹת הַמְעֻטָּרוֹת לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּשְׂכִירוּת חֲנֻיּוֹתֶיהָHalacha 12 · Shops Adorned for Idol Worship and Renting from Idolatrous Temples
עִירA cityשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהָיוּand there wereבָּהּin itחֲנֻיּוֹתshopsמְעֻטָּרוֹתadornedוְשֶׁאֵינָןand that are notמְעֻטָּרוֹתadornedהַמְעֻטָּרוֹתthe adorned onesאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֵהָנוֹתto benefitבָּהֶןfrom themבְּכָלwith allמַהwhatשֶּׁבְּתוֹכָןis inside themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁחֶזְקָתָןtheir presumption isשֶׁבִּגְלַלthat because ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsנִתְעַטְּרוּthey were adornedוְשֶׁאֵינָןand those that are notמְעֵטָּרוֹתadornedמֻתָּרוֹתare permittedבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitחֲנֻיּוֹתShopsשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְשָׂכְרָןto rent themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁמְּהַנֶּהhe benefitsעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים:stars
This halacha details the prohibitions regarding shops in a city with an idol, distinguishing between those decorated for idolatrous festivals and those that are not, as well as renting directly from an idolatrous temple.
הל׳ יג
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִדְּמֵי מְכִירַת בַּיִת לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 13 · The Prohibition of Benefiting from the Sale of a House to Idolaters
הַמּוֹכֵרOne who sellsבַּיִתa houseלַעֲבוֹדַתto service ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsדָּמָיוits moneyאֲסוּרִיםis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitוְיוֹלִיכֵםand he must take themלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח.the Saltאֲבָלbutעוֹבְדֵיservants ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁאָנְסוּwho coercedיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְגָזְלוּand robbedבֵּיתוֹhis houseוְהֶעֱמִידוּand set upבּוֹin itעֲבוֹדַתservice ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsדָּמָיוits moneyמֻתָּרִין,is permittedוְכוֹתֵבand he may writeוּמַעֲלֶהand submitבְּעַרְכָּאוֹתin courtsשֶׁלָּהֶם:of theirs
This halacha details the prohibition of benefiting from money received when selling a house for idolatrous purposes, contrasted with receiving compensation for a house taken by force.
הל׳ יד
רְכִישַׁת נְכָסִים מִן הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים בְּיוֹם הַיָּרִיד שֶׁלָּהֶםHalacha 14 · Purchasing Property and Livestock from Idolaters at a Pagan Fair
וַחֲלִילִיןAnd flutesשֶׁלofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִסְפֹּדto eulogizeבָּהֶן.with themהוֹלְכִיןOne may goלְיָרִידto a fairשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipוְלוֹקְחִיןand purchaseמֵהֶןfrom themבְּהֵמָהlivestockעֲבָדִיםservantsוּשְׁפָחוֹתand maidservantsבְּגֵיוּתָןin their gentilityוּבָתִּיםand housesוְשָׂדוֹתand fieldsוּכְרָמִיםand vineyardsוְכוֹתֵבand writeוּמַעֲלֶהand registerבְּעַרְכָּאוֹתin courtsשֶׁלָּהֶןof theirsמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat he isכְּמַצִּילlike one who rescuesמִיָּדָם.from their handבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּלוֹקֵחַwith a purchaserמִבַּעַלfrom a master ofהַבַּיִתthe houseשֶׁאֵינוֹwho does notנוֹתֵןgiveמֶכֶסtaxאֲבָלbutהַלּוֹקֵחַone who purchasesשָׁםthereמִןfromהַתַּגָּרthe merchantאָסוּרit is forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat heנוֹתֵןgivesמֶכֶסtaxוְהַמֶּכֶסand the taxלַעֲבוֹדַתis for idolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipוְנִמְצָאand it turns outזֶהthis oneמְהַנֶּהbenefitsעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִים.worshipעָבַרIf he transgressedוְלָקַחand purchasedמִןfromהַתַּגָּר.the merchantאִםifבְּהֵמָהlivestockלָקַחhe purchasedמְנַשֵּׁרhe must cut offפַּרְסוֹתֶיהָits hoovesמִןfromהָאַרְכֻּבָּהthe knee jointוּלְמַטָּה.and belowוְאִםand ifכְּסוּתclothingוְכֵלִיםand utensilsלָקַחhe purchasedיֵרָקְבוּ.they must rotלָקַחIf he purchasedמָעוֹתmoneyוּכְלֵיand utensils ofמַתָּכוֹתmetalsיוֹלִיכֵםhe must bring themלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח.SaltלָקַחIf he purchasedעֶבֶדa servantלֹאnotמַעֲלִיםdo we raise himוְלֹאand notמוֹרִידִין:do we cast down
This halacha details what items may be purchased from idolaters at their commercial fairs and the restrictions regarding buying from merchants who pay taxes to the idol.
הל׳ טו
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה וַאֲכִילָה בִּסְעֻדַּת עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים בַּחֲתֻנַּת בָּנָיוHalacha 15 · The Prohibition of Benefiting and Eating at an Idolater's Wedding Feast
עוֹבֵדA worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁעָשָׂהwho madeלִבְנוֹfor his sonאוֹorלְבִתּוֹfor his daughterמִשְׁתֶּהa feastאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֵהָנוֹתto benefitמִסְּעֻדָּתוֹ.from his mealוַאֲפִלּוּand evenלֶאֱכלto eatוְלִשְׁתּוֹתand to drinkהַיִּשְׂרָאֵלthe Jewמִשֶּׁלּוֹfrom his ownשָׁםthereאָסוּרit is forbiddenהוֹאִילsinceוּבִמְסִבַּתand in a gathering ofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲכָלוֹ.he ate itוּמֵאֵימָתַיAnd from whenאָסוּרis it forbiddenלֶאֱכלto eatאֶצְלוֹby himמִשֶּׁיַּתְחִילfrom when he beginsלַעֲסֹקto engageוּלְהָכִיןand to prepareצָרְכֵיthe needs ofסְעֻדָּהthe mealוְכָלand allיְמֵיthe days ofהַמִּשְׁתֶּהthe feastוּלְאַחַרand afterיְמֵיthe days ofהַמִּשְׁתֶּהthe feastשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹם.daysוְאִםand ifעָשָׂהhe madeסְעֻדָּהa mealאַחֶרֶתanotherמֵחֲמַתbecause ofהַנִּשּׂוּאִיןthe marriageאֲפִלּוּevenלְאַחַרafterשְׁלֹשִׁיםthirtyיוֹםdaysאָסוּרit is forbiddenעַדuntilשְׁנֵיםtwelveעָשָׂר·חֹדֶשׁ.monthsוְכָלand allהַהַרְחָקָהdistancingהַזֹּאתthisמִפְּנֵיbecause ofעֲבוֹדָהworshipשֶׁלofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהוּאit isשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosלד34טו15"וְקָרָאand he will callלְךָto youוְאָכַלְתָּand you will eatמִזִּבְחוֹ"from his slaughteringשמותShemosלד34טז16"וְלָקַחְתָּand you will takeמִבְּנֹתָיוfrom his daughtersלְבָנֶיךָfor your sonsוְזָנוּ"and they will strayוְגוֹ':etc
This halacha details the strict distancing required from an idolater's wedding celebration to prevent intermarriage and idolatrous influence.
הל׳ טז
מְיַלֶּדֶת וּמֵינִיקָה לְעוֹבֶדֶת כּוֹכָבִים וּמֵהֶןHalacha 16 · Midwifery and Nursing for an Idolater and Receiving These Services from Them
בַּתA daughter ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelלֹאnotתֵּינִיקshall nurseאֶת—בְּנָהּthe sonשֶׁלofעוֹבֶדֶתa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁמְּגַדֶּלֶתthat she raisesבֵּןa sonלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְלֹאand notתְּיַלֵּדshall she deliverאֶת—הַנָּכְרִיתthe non-Jewish womanעַכּוּ"םidolaterאֲבָלbutמְיַלֶּדֶתdeliversהִיאsheבְּשָׂכָרfor a feeמִשּׁוּםbecause ofאֵיבָה.hostilityוְהַנָּכְרִיתand the non-Jewish womanעַכּוּ"םidolaterמְיַלֶּדֶתdeliversאֶת—בַּתthe daughter ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוּמֵינִיקָהand nursesאֶת—בְּנָהּher sonבִּרְשׁוּתָהּin her domainכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַּהַרְגֶנּוּ:she will kill him
This halacha details the restrictions on Jewish women nursing or delivering the babies of idolaters, and the safety precautions required when receiving these services from them.
הל׳ יז
אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן עִם עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים וּמוּמָרִים הַהוֹלְכִים לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 17 · The Prohibition of Trading with Idolaters and Apostates Traveling to Idolatrous Worship
הַהוֹלְכִיןThose goingלְתַרְפּוּתto a place ofעַכּוּ"םidol worshipאָסוּרit is forbiddenלָשֵׂאתto buyוְלָתֵתand to sellעִמָּהֶןwith themוְהַבָּאִיםbut those returningמֻתָּרִיןare permittedוְהוּאand thisשֶׁלֹּאis when theyיִהְיוּare notקְשׁוּרִיןboundזֶהthis oneבָּזֶהto that oneשֶׁאִםfor ifהָיוּthey wereקְשׁוּרִיןboundשֶׁמָּאperhapsדַּעְתָּןtheir mind isלַחֲזֹר.to returnיִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewהַהוֹלֵךְwho goesלְתַרְפּוּתto a place ofעַכּוּ"ם,idol worshipבַּהֲלִיכָהon the journey thereמֻתָּרit is permittedלָשֵׂאתto buyוְלָתֵתand to sellעִמּוֹwith himשֶׁמָּאperhapsיַחֲזֹרhe will turn backבּוֹfrom itוּבַחֲזִירָהbut on the returnאָסוּר.it is forbiddenיִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewמוּמָרwho is an apostateבֵּיןwhetherבַּהֲלִיכָהon the journey thereבֵּיןor whetherבַּחֲזִירָהon the returnאָסוּר:it is forbidden
This halacha details the restrictions on business dealings with non-Jews, Jews, and apostates when they are traveling to or from places of idolatrous worship.
הל׳ יח
אִסּוּר מַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן עִם הַבָּא מִיָּרִיד שֶׁל עַכּוּ"םHalacha 18 · Trading with Jews and Idolaters Returning from an Idolatrous Fair
יִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewשֶׁהָלַךְwho wentלְיָרִידto a fairשֶׁלofעַכּוּ"ם,idol worshipersבַּחֲזִירָהupon returningאָסוּרit is forbiddenלָשֵׂאתto tradeוְלָתֵתand to dealעִמּוֹwith himשֶׁמָּאlestעַכּוּ"םan idolמָכַרhe soldלָהֶןto themשָׁם,thereוּדְמֵיand the money ofעַכּוּ"םan idolבְּיַדin the hand ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאֲסוּרִיםis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitוּבְיַדbut in the hand ofעַכּוּ"םan idolaterמֻתָּרִיןit is permittedבַּהֲנָאָה,in benefitוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofזֶהthisנוֹשְׂאִיןwe tradeוְנוֹתְנִיןand we dealעִםwithעַכּוּ"םan idolaterהַבָּאwho comesמִןfromהַתַּרְפּוּתthe festivalשֶׁלofעַכּוּ"םidol worshipוְאֵיןbut we do notנוֹשְׂאִיןtradeוְנוֹתְנִיןand dealעִםwithיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewהַבָּאwho comesמִןfromהַתַּרְפּוּתthe festivalהַהוּאthatוְלֹאand notעִםwithיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewמוּמָרapostateלֹאneitherבַּהֲלִיכָתוֹon his goingוְלֹאand norבַּחֲזִירָתוֹ:on his returning
It is forbidden to trade with a Jew returning from an idolatrous fair because he may have sold an idol and the money received is forbidden for benefit.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by forbidding business transactions, loans, and gifts with idolaters within three days of their festivals in Eretz Yisrael, or on the day of the festival itself in Chutz la'Aretz, though certain non-durable goods and verbal loans are permitted to prevent financial loss. It distinguishes between communal festivals and private celebrations of an individual, and details the strict prohibition against selling items specifically used for avodah zarah or dangerous items like weapons and wild animals. Finally, the Rambam outlines the guidelines for traveling near cities containing avodah zarah and the halachos of building structures, such as domes or courtyards, that might be used for pagan worship.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear talmid, when you look at the detailed halachos of how we must distance ourselves from the festivals and practices of avodah zarah, a profound truth of the neshamah emerges. The Torah is teaching us about the incredible power of association and influence. We are forbidden to do business with them before their holidays because we do not want our actions, our livelihood, or our energy to even indirectly fuel or validate something that stands against the oneness of Hashem.
This is not just about ancient temples and statues; it is about the spiritual environment we build around ourselves every single day. The people we connect with, the places we walk, and the transactions we make all leave an imprint on our hearts. If we allow ourselves to get too close to influences that do not align with Torah and yiras Shamayim, those influences slowly seep into our thoughts and weaken our connection to Hashem.
Just as the halacha warns us not to sell weapons or dangerous things that can cause harm, we must protect our own spiritual safety. We have to be mindful of what we bring into our homes and what we allow to occupy our minds. Our avodah is to keep our hearts pure and dedicated solely to Hashem, ensuring that everything we touch and do brings us closer to Kedushah.
Today, take a moment to look at your daily routine and identify one environment, media source, or social circle that does not elevate your yiras Shamayim, and make a conscious decision to step back from it to keep your neshamah pure.