Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 9: Commercial Relations with Idolaters and Prohibitions Related to Their Festivals and Worship
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Halachah 1 — Business Near Gentile Holidays
- It is forbidden to buy, sell, lend, borrow, repay loans, or accept payment from idolaters within three days before their festival (in Eretz Yisrael).
- In the Diaspora, the prohibition applies only on the festival day itself.
- Transactions done during the three preceding days remain permitted after the fact; transactions done on the festival day itself are forbidden in benefit.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 2 — Gifts on Gentile Holidays
- It is forbidden to send or accept gifts on a gentile holiday.
- If refusal may cause hostility, the gift may be accepted but not used until it is confirmed that the giver does not worship idols.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 3 — Multi‑Day Gentile Festivals
- If a gentile festival lasts several days, all days are treated as one, and the prohibitions apply to the entire duration and the days preceding it.
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- Idolaters whose festival recurs weekly (e.g., Sunday) are treated as having a festival every week.
- In Eretz Yisrael, business with them is forbidden on the preceding days as well.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 5 — Public vs. Private Gentile Celebrations
- National events involving idolatry (e.g., crowning a king) are treated as festivals.
- Private celebrations (birthdays, weddings, releases from prison) restrict business only with that individual.
- Those who attend only out of custom or respect, without belief, are not included in the prohibition.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 6 — Selling Items Used for Idol Worship
- Items uniquely associated with idol worship may never be sold to idolaters.
- Neutral items may be sold unless the buyer explicitly states they are for idolatry—then they may be sold only if rendered unfit for worship.
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- Items used for idol worship mixed with neutral goods may be sold without inquiry.
- We do not assume the buyer will separate them for idolatry.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 8 — Weapons and Dangerous Items
- It is forbidden to sell idolaters weapons, restraints, or dangerous animals, or to sharpen their weapons.
- The same applies when selling to Jews suspected of reselling to idolaters or to criminals.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 9 — Weapons Sold for State Protection
- When Jews live under gentile rule, weapons may be sold to royal guards and soldiers who protect public order.
- One may walk around a city containing an idol but may not enter it; if the idol is outside, the city may be entered.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 10 — Passing Through Idolatrous Cities
- One should not pass through a city containing an idol if it is the only route.
- If another route exists and one passed through unintentionally, it is permitted.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 11 — Building Structures for Idols
- It is forbidden to build a dome for an idol, even jointly with a gentile.
- If one did so, his wages are permitted.
- It is permitted to build surrounding structures not directly supporting the idol.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 12 — Shops Adorned for Idol Worship
- Shops adorned for idol worship are forbidden for benefit.
- Undecorated shops are permitted.
- It is forbidden to rent a store owned by an idol, as this benefits idolatry.
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- Money received from selling property for idol worship is forbidden and must be destroyed.
- If a gentile seized the property forcibly and later paid compensation, the money may be accepted.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 14 — Pagan Fairs and Their Proceeds
- One may attend pagan fairs to acquire property or servants to remove them from idolaters.
- Purchases from merchants who pay idol taxes are forbidden.
- If one transgressed, the purchased items must be destroyed or rendered unusable.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 15 — Gentile Wedding Feasts
- It is forbidden to benefit from a gentile wedding feast—even eating one’s own food there.
- The prohibition applies from preparation until 30 days after, and up to 12 months if celebrations continue.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 16 — Nursing and Midwifery
- A Jewish woman may not nurse an idolater’s child.
- She may serve as a midwife only for payment to avoid hostility.
- A gentile woman may nurse or assist a Jewess only in Jewish premises.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 17 — Trade With Pilgrims to Idolatry
- It is forbidden to trade with idolaters traveling toward idol worship, but permitted on their return.
- Apostate Jews are forbidden in both directions.
style="text-align: justify">Halachah 18 — Trading With Jews Returning From Idol Fairs
- It is forbidden to trade with a Jew returning from an idolatrous fair, since he may possess forbidden proceeds.
- Trading with gentiles returning from such fairs is permitted.