Rosh Yeshiva Responds
Rabbi Linzer answers halakhic questions from rabbis and community members

22 12, 2020

Assisting in Solstice Ritual

December 22nd, 2020|Non-Jews and Other Religions, Yoreh De'ah|

QUESTION

Detroit, MI

A non Jewish family member asks for some paper and matches from you so they can do a “solstice ritual” (which likely includes prayers to Mother Earth and the like). Are you allowed to give them the paper and matches?

ANSWER

The Gemara is clear that lifnei iveir applies to a non-Jew regarding his sheva mitzvot, of which avodah zarah is on the top of the list (Avodah Zarah 6a). However, that is limited to תרי עברי דנהר – when the non-Jew cannot get it

5 08, 2016

Buying Non-Kosher Food

August 5th, 2016|Kashrut|

Question:

לגרסה העברית לחצו כאן / Read this teshuva in Hebrew

I have a small business and occasionally order lunch for my non-Jewish employees. I order  non-kosher food for them, but I was told that it is not permitted to purchase non-kosher food for non-Jews. Is that true? If so, does this extend to non-business oriented situations? For example, when a homeless person asks me for money, I will offer to buy him food. If he says yes, I will walk with him to the nearest non-kosher restaurant and purchase something for him. Is this also not permitted?

 Answer:

At the outset it