What is the process for purifying your home if you believe it may have been previously used for pagan...
Locations of foreign worship are typically of concern. You're not supposed to enter a church for this very reason.
My question relates to the idea that one finds out their home was previously used for foreign worship. Say they discovered that they live in a home that was previously used by a pagan of some sort.
Assuming that moving wasn't an option, what would be the process of purifying the space as a Jewish home? Would simply living a Jewish life and restructuring the location for Jewish worship be enough?
Clarification:
In the example I'm giving, the house itself was not built specifically for idol worship or used as a formal location of idol
worship. That being said, in the same way a Christian might light
candles at a shrine in their home, the house would have had foreign
worship occur within it. That was the context of the example I was
giving.
avodah-zarah sin tamei-tahor-ritual-purity home-house evil-resha
add a comment |
Locations of foreign worship are typically of concern. You're not supposed to enter a church for this very reason.
My question relates to the idea that one finds out their home was previously used for foreign worship. Say they discovered that they live in a home that was previously used by a pagan of some sort.
Assuming that moving wasn't an option, what would be the process of purifying the space as a Jewish home? Would simply living a Jewish life and restructuring the location for Jewish worship be enough?
Clarification:
In the example I'm giving, the house itself was not built specifically for idol worship or used as a formal location of idol
worship. That being said, in the same way a Christian might light
candles at a shrine in their home, the house would have had foreign
worship occur within it. That was the context of the example I was
giving.
avodah-zarah sin tamei-tahor-ritual-purity home-house evil-resha
1
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
1
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
Locations of foreign worship are typically of concern. You're not supposed to enter a church for this very reason.
My question relates to the idea that one finds out their home was previously used for foreign worship. Say they discovered that they live in a home that was previously used by a pagan of some sort.
Assuming that moving wasn't an option, what would be the process of purifying the space as a Jewish home? Would simply living a Jewish life and restructuring the location for Jewish worship be enough?
Clarification:
In the example I'm giving, the house itself was not built specifically for idol worship or used as a formal location of idol
worship. That being said, in the same way a Christian might light
candles at a shrine in their home, the house would have had foreign
worship occur within it. That was the context of the example I was
giving.
avodah-zarah sin tamei-tahor-ritual-purity home-house evil-resha
Locations of foreign worship are typically of concern. You're not supposed to enter a church for this very reason.
My question relates to the idea that one finds out their home was previously used for foreign worship. Say they discovered that they live in a home that was previously used by a pagan of some sort.
Assuming that moving wasn't an option, what would be the process of purifying the space as a Jewish home? Would simply living a Jewish life and restructuring the location for Jewish worship be enough?
Clarification:
In the example I'm giving, the house itself was not built specifically for idol worship or used as a formal location of idol
worship. That being said, in the same way a Christian might light
candles at a shrine in their home, the house would have had foreign
worship occur within it. That was the context of the example I was
giving.
avodah-zarah sin tamei-tahor-ritual-purity home-house evil-resha
avodah-zarah sin tamei-tahor-ritual-purity home-house evil-resha
edited Mar 31 at 18:33
Avri
asked Mar 31 at 17:00
AvriAvri
1,065112
1,065112
1
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
1
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
1
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago
1
1
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
1
1
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
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This is explicitly addressed in Avodah Zarah 3:7:
שְׁלשָׁה בָתִּים הֵן. בַּיִת שֶׁבָּנוּי מִתְּחִלָּה לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר. סִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְחִדֵּשׁ, נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ. הִכְנִיס לְתוֹכָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהוֹצִיאָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר.
There are three houses: (1) A house which was initially built for idolatry, this is forbidden. (2) It was painted or plastered for idolatry, or [otherwise] it was renewed, he removes that which is new. (3) He brought an idol into it and removed it; this is permitted.
This Mishnah is accepted at face value by the Gemara (AZ 47b only adds that if the house itself was served, it's no different than a house built for idolatry), and we accordingly pasken like it (Rambam, Hil. Avodah Zarah 8:4; Tur, YD 145; Shulchan Aruch, YD 145:3).
Therefore, in your case, where the house was not built for idolatry, merely that idol worship occurred inside it, so long as the idols are removed, the house is permissible.
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
This is explicitly addressed in Avodah Zarah 3:7:
שְׁלשָׁה בָתִּים הֵן. בַּיִת שֶׁבָּנוּי מִתְּחִלָּה לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר. סִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְחִדֵּשׁ, נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ. הִכְנִיס לְתוֹכָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהוֹצִיאָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר.
There are three houses: (1) A house which was initially built for idolatry, this is forbidden. (2) It was painted or plastered for idolatry, or [otherwise] it was renewed, he removes that which is new. (3) He brought an idol into it and removed it; this is permitted.
This Mishnah is accepted at face value by the Gemara (AZ 47b only adds that if the house itself was served, it's no different than a house built for idolatry), and we accordingly pasken like it (Rambam, Hil. Avodah Zarah 8:4; Tur, YD 145; Shulchan Aruch, YD 145:3).
Therefore, in your case, where the house was not built for idolatry, merely that idol worship occurred inside it, so long as the idols are removed, the house is permissible.
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is explicitly addressed in Avodah Zarah 3:7:
שְׁלשָׁה בָתִּים הֵן. בַּיִת שֶׁבָּנוּי מִתְּחִלָּה לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר. סִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְחִדֵּשׁ, נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ. הִכְנִיס לְתוֹכָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהוֹצִיאָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר.
There are three houses: (1) A house which was initially built for idolatry, this is forbidden. (2) It was painted or plastered for idolatry, or [otherwise] it was renewed, he removes that which is new. (3) He brought an idol into it and removed it; this is permitted.
This Mishnah is accepted at face value by the Gemara (AZ 47b only adds that if the house itself was served, it's no different than a house built for idolatry), and we accordingly pasken like it (Rambam, Hil. Avodah Zarah 8:4; Tur, YD 145; Shulchan Aruch, YD 145:3).
Therefore, in your case, where the house was not built for idolatry, merely that idol worship occurred inside it, so long as the idols are removed, the house is permissible.
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
This is explicitly addressed in Avodah Zarah 3:7:
שְׁלשָׁה בָתִּים הֵן. בַּיִת שֶׁבָּנוּי מִתְּחִלָּה לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר. סִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְחִדֵּשׁ, נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ. הִכְנִיס לְתוֹכָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהוֹצִיאָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר.
There are three houses: (1) A house which was initially built for idolatry, this is forbidden. (2) It was painted or plastered for idolatry, or [otherwise] it was renewed, he removes that which is new. (3) He brought an idol into it and removed it; this is permitted.
This Mishnah is accepted at face value by the Gemara (AZ 47b only adds that if the house itself was served, it's no different than a house built for idolatry), and we accordingly pasken like it (Rambam, Hil. Avodah Zarah 8:4; Tur, YD 145; Shulchan Aruch, YD 145:3).
Therefore, in your case, where the house was not built for idolatry, merely that idol worship occurred inside it, so long as the idols are removed, the house is permissible.
This is explicitly addressed in Avodah Zarah 3:7:
שְׁלשָׁה בָתִּים הֵן. בַּיִת שֶׁבָּנוּי מִתְּחִלָּה לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר. סִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְחִדֵּשׁ, נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ. הִכְנִיס לְתוֹכָה עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְהוֹצִיאָהּ, הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר.
There are three houses: (1) A house which was initially built for idolatry, this is forbidden. (2) It was painted or plastered for idolatry, or [otherwise] it was renewed, he removes that which is new. (3) He brought an idol into it and removed it; this is permitted.
This Mishnah is accepted at face value by the Gemara (AZ 47b only adds that if the house itself was served, it's no different than a house built for idolatry), and we accordingly pasken like it (Rambam, Hil. Avodah Zarah 8:4; Tur, YD 145; Shulchan Aruch, YD 145:3).
Therefore, in your case, where the house was not built for idolatry, merely that idol worship occurred inside it, so long as the idols are removed, the house is permissible.
answered Mar 31 at 19:51
DonielFDonielF
16.8k12689
16.8k12689
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
As a corollary, since we're not permitted to derive benefit from idol worship, would it be forbidden to sell a house that had been worshipped/built for idol worship? Would breaking even/selling at a loss make a difference?
– Josh K
2 days ago
1
1
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
@JoshK Pretty sure the answer is "no," but I don't have a hard source for that off th top of my head. Why don't you ask it separately, and I'll see if I can dig up the relevant halachos in the morning, B"N?
– DonielF
2 days ago
add a comment |
1
Was the house itself worshipped? Was it built for idol worship? Or was it just a regular house and someone decided to bring an idol into it? The Halacha is different in each of these cases.
– DonielF
Mar 31 at 17:52
@DonielF Just clarified the example. That being said, I'd be interested in the context of each situation.
– Avri
Mar 31 at 18:33
1
Congrats on HNQ
– DonielF
2 days ago