Halachic Rulings, Opinions, and Definitions

For specific halachic questions regarding idol worship and Christianity please refer to the Ask the Rabbi section of the Beit-El Yeshiva Center website

For a selection of rabbinic editorial opinions see our Article section

POSITIONS:

On Missionary Activity:
letter from American Rabbaim regarding missionary activity in Eretz Yisrael (1963)

Rav Lior and Rav Gold address evangelical missionary crisis at Jewish Israel event in Hebron (September 2011)

On Interfaith Dialogue and Activities:
Rav Yosef B. Soloveitchik’s written psak on Interfaith Dialogue (1964)
Related:
Excerpts of the Rav's letter to the RCA on Interfaith dialogue
The Rabbincal Council of America’s Protocols for Interfaith Dialogue (2006)
(a reaffirmation of Rav Soloveitchik’s position)

A letter printed in the 6th volume of the Igros Kodesh (Page 135) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson

In this Hebrew document, the Rebbe advises that Jews not enter into logical debates with missionaries, but should instead wait for the right opportunities to publicly present their conniving, deceptive and misleading methods.

Rav Sholom Gold: On Interfaith Discussions (2009)

Orthodox Union's Withdrawal of proposed 2008 resolution Working in Coalition with Evangelical Christians 

Jewish Israel's suggested approach to Interfaith relations (2007)
(drafted under the guidance of Rav Sholom Gold)


On Accepting Christian Funding and Assistance

Rav Dov Lior, Chief Rabbi of Hebron and Kiryat Arba

“On the Matter of Receiving Assistance from Non-Jews” in Hebrew (Erev Rosh Ha’Shannah 5772) 2011

Rav Yigal Hadaya of Yad Binyamin(formerly rabbi of Gadid in Gush Katif): in Hebrew (2010)
Rav Natan Shalev of Yishuv Mevo'ot Yericho in Hebrew (2009)
Rav Dov Lior of Hebron endorses Rav Shalev's position in Hebrew (2009)
(English translation of Rav Lior's endorsement)
Rav Shlomo Aviner (2008)
Rav Ya'acov Shapira: (forthcoming)
Transcript of lecture delivered at Mossad HaRav Kook (2008)

Rulings on IFCJ Funding
Chabad Rabbis: psak on funds from IFCJ (2009)
Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv: article: Refuse Money from IFCJ (2009)
additional article here
Rav Moshe David Tendler: Letter regarding IFCJ (names of recipients removed) (2004)

On Entering a church

A letter from Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger on the Israeli Chief Rabbinate's position (June 2011) 

A response from Rabbi Jonathan Blass (June 2011)

Rabbi J. David Bleich: Entering a Non-Jewish House of Worship (Tradition Magazine Summer 2011)  

 
For Conversion to Judaism:
Document of Renunciation and Intent (name of rabbinic organization removed)

Declaration of Renunciation and Intent of Non-Jewish Beliefs (formulated by Rabbi Michael Skobac of Jews for Judaism, Canada)

The Hebriac Roots Movement:

A statement by Rabbi Sholom Gold (June 2011)