Can I rent a booth to sell my products by a fair organized by a church?

 

Question:

My wife and I are vendors for a few product lines/companies and from time to time will do fairs and festivals. From time to time a church will organize events in the city community at large not in connection with a holiday, but in connection with the arrival of a new season. I assume they make money when vendors pay for their booth or spot at the event. Is it permissible to go as a vendor and sell at an event like this?

 

Answer:

If the money goes directly to the church, then it is not permissible, unless we know that the money is going to fund their social work and not for the actual church itself.

And if the booths are in the property of the church, it is not permitted in any case.

Sources:

ראה שו״ע יו״ד סימן קמג ס״ה. וע״ע אג״מ יו״ד ג עז. וביו״ד קמט ס״ב. וע״ע בציץ אליעזר סימן יד ס׳ צא.

 

 

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