It's a Mitzvah not to bow down to idols - even of it's not the way this particular idol is worshipped - since bowing down is the way we worship Hashem.
One who transgresses deserves to be stoned to death by Bet Din.
Similarly one may not offer sacrifices, incense or wine to an idol, since these are all ways we serve Hashem in the Bet Hamikdash; even if the idol is not normally worshipped in this manner.
One should agree to be killed rather than transgress any of the above.
If one dropped something, or one gets a thorn in ones foot in front of an idol, one should not bend down to take care of it, since it looks like one is bowing down to the idol. Rather one should turn around - or to the side.
Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.
Pasuk: ...do not bow down to them (2nd of the Ten Commandments - Shmot 20:5)
Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Negative Mitzvah 11
- Danny
Wednesday, 10 Marcheshvan 5770
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment