Greetings and blessings,
Continuing our study of the laws of idolatry in the book Brit Shalom, Chapter 3, Section 23 and onward, we are dealing with practices that, while technically permitted for Noahides, are still praiseworthy for those who wish to be stringent with themselves and follow these guidelines.
For example, it is good to refrain from eating or drinking foods that were used in idol worship. If someone brought food as an offering to an idol and then removed it and ate it—while it is technically allowed, it is best to avoid it. The same applies to wood from a tree planted by idol worshippers for worship purposes, or benefiting from gold and silver used to cover an idol. Even using the ashes of an idol that was burned—such as a wooden idol—though technically permitted, it is best to refrain from doing so.
One must not make an idol for oneself to worship, nor should one craft an idol for others to worship. Even if you are a skilled artist and are asked to create a work of art in the form of an idol, do not do so. One should not keep any object used for idol worship in their possession. While technically allowed to keep it at home, it is preferable not to.
Creating a full human-shaped statue, even for decoration, is forbidden for Jews. For example, in an art school, if they sculpt a complete human figure—not for worship but as an artistic piece—it is still prohibited for a Jew to create it. However, there is no prohibition against entering a place where an idol is displayed for decorative purposes, such as a museum. It is also permitted to enjoy a statue created solely for artistic purposes.
Section 26 discusses matters related to somewhat strange beliefs. It is forbidden for Jews to predict the future through magical means, to alter nature using incantations, to summon the spirits of the dead and communicate with them (spiritualism), or to engage in any form of sorcery. The Torah describes all these as an abomination to Hashem. If we seek energy and power, we should receive them from the Holy One, blessed be He. This is also reflected in the verse: "You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God." Even for Noahides, it is proper to refrain from these practices, even though they are not explicitly forbidden to them. The Talmud records a debate on whether Noahides are allowed to engage in sorcery. While some halakhic rulings permit it, it is clear that these practices are detestable before Hashem.
The Jewish people were commanded not to turn towards idol worship, not to entertain thoughts about it—lest they believe there is any truth in it—and not even to look at it. Therefore, Jews customarily distance themselves from places of idol worship, avoid looking at them, and refrain from praising them in any way.
What about oaths? It is forbidden to swear in the name of an idol, and this includes not causing others to swear by their idol. For example, if one is in court and the judge asks a litigant to swear an oath, but that person believes in idols, is it permissible for him to swear by his god? The answer is no. If an oath is necessary in court, it is best that it be made in the name of Hashem or in a neutral form that does not specify by whom the oath is made.
