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ןנברמ אברוצ ׳ב הרז הדובע תוכלה · 75

Summary of Hilchot Avoda Zara II

Using the Non-Jewish Calendar

1. Ramban – There is a positive mitzva to use the Jewish calendar (which implicitly
rebukes those who use the secular calendar – Chatam Sofer).
2. Maharam Schick – Those who use the secular date transgress a Torah violation.

3. Yabia Omer and Tzitz Eliezer – There is no prohibition according to the letter
of the law, especially if one doesn’t mention that this is according to the Christian
count.
4. Minchat Asher – We should be melamed zchut (judge favorably) on those who use
the secular calendar especially for practical and technical purposes.
5. Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook – Use of the secular calendar is a violation of “Mentioning
other gods’ names” and is a degradation for the Jewish people.
6. For those who are lenient – Is it better to use the numerical value, or the name of
the month?
a. Yabia Omer – It is preferable to use the name of the month, as only the months
in the Torah have a numerical value.
b. Tzitz Eliezer – It is preferable to use the number and not the names – as the
names refer to pagan gods.

Receiving Charity from Gentiles
(See Further Iyun section for a more extensive analysis of this topic)

1. Gemara Sanhedrin and Shulchan Aruch – It is prohibited to receive tzedaka from
gentiles in public due to chillul Hashem.
2. Shevet HaLevi – Even in private there is a minor chillul Hashem.

3. Tzitz Eliezer – Although there are those that are lenient, regarding a real pagan one
should be stringent.

4. Devar Chevron – One cannot accept from Christian groups, as their objective is
to missionize, unless it is clear they are doing it simply because they admire and
respect Jews.

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