If an idol is worshipped with a stick, what acts that one would do with the stick would be considered worship? What would make that stick be considered a “tikrovet” – an offering? If one sacrifices to an idol when the typical method of worship is not sacrifice, is it forbidden? Items that are found…

Study Guide Avoda Zara 52. When does an idol become forbidden? From the time it was created or from the time it was worshipped? What about a utensil for idol worship? Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yishmael disagree and the amoraim bring proof texts for each of them. Several questions are asked regarding the impurity that the rabbis…

How does one cancel an idol – what acts show the non-Jew’s intent to cancel and which acts are not indicative of that?

Basic philosophical questions are asked and answered regarding free choice – if God doesn’t want people worshipping idols, then why doesn’t God destroy them? The last section of Masechet Avoda Zara deals with wine of non-Jews and the first question addressed is at what stage does the wine become potential to the wine of libations…

Are the definitions for when there is “gmar melacha” (when it is a somewhat finished product) to be able to be considered wine that could have been offered by an idol worshipper to his/her idols, the same as for when wine is obligated to be tithed? If the strainer is put back in the top…

Rav and Shmuel have a debate regarding how to read a braita and therefore come to different halachic conclusions. According to Rav’s reading, a non-Jew does not need intent to forbid wine for drinking for a Jew (even a baby can forbid it). According to Shmuel’s reading, a Cannanite slave that was purchased from the market, needs…

In which cases is wine touched by a non Jew forbidden and for what reasons?

More issues regarding wine and non-Jews are discussed.

Many different cases are brought regarding different less direct contacts the non-Jew has with the wine and whether or not it is forbidden? Also in cases where a non_Jew is in the proximity of wine unwatched – in what cases can we assume that the non-Jew will not come in contact with the wine and…

If the Jew makes wine that belongs to the non-Jew but plans to sell to a Jew – if it is stored in a house of a different non-Jew, is there less of a concern that the non Jewish owner will come in contact with the wine? It is forbidden to benefit from salary that one…