Definition of "idol" and Talk LIVE from 05/18/2008

[will]

Unfortunately the audio wasn't so great this week, so I didn't get to follow up with a couple of my questions.

The first was about idolatry. I suggested that imagination for its own sake is idolatry. You (R' Ben-Chaim) pointed out that one needs to be careful about definitions. It took me until this afternoon to remember that yes, idolatry is a halakhic category subject to halakhic definition, and so we have tractate 'avodah zarah. Is this what you meant by being careful with definitions, that the halakhah defines idolatry and we have to look to the halakhah?

The second was wondering about any connection between the command not to stand by the blood of your fellow and the command to rebuke your fellow. Is there any link between the two, or are they considered to be unrelated concepts?

So much to learn, but the weekly discussion is encouraging until I can get myself to something more formal.

[Rabbi Moshe Ben-Chaim]

Originally Posted by will

Unfortunately the audio wasn't so great this week, so I didn't get to follow up with a couple of my questions.

The first was about idolatry. I suggested that imagination for its own sake is idolatry. You (R' Ben-Chaim) pointed out that one needs to be careful about definitions. It took me until this afternoon to remember that yes, idolatry is a halakhic category subject to halakhic definition, and so we have tractate 'avodah zarah. Is this what you meant by being careful with definitions, that the halakhah defines idolatry and we have to look to the halakhah?

Yes.

Originally Posted by will

The second was wondering about any connection between the command not to stand by the blood of your fellow and the command to rebuke your fellow. Is there any link between the two, or are they considered to be unrelated concepts?

Clearly, both are acts of concern for others: physically and spiritually.