Displaying and looking at flags with symbols of the Nazarene faith

 

Question:

Many national flags (especially of European countries) and historical coats-of-arms incorporate symbols of the Nazarene faith. Is it permitted to display such flags and is there any idea not to look upon them?

 

Answer:

It is permissible to own a flag that has a cross on it (like Switzerland or Great Britain) since no one today considers the flags as a religious item or worshiping tool. However, one who wishes may decided to be stringent to refrain from owning one. Similarly, there were those who were stringent not to stare at such a flag.

 

Reasoning:

See Rema (Yoreh Deah 141:1) who writes that a cross that is not worshiped is not considered a “tzelem” (a forbidden idolatrous item). The Shach (ibid:6) adds that the allowance is only when it is certain that one did not worship the symbol. See also Darkei Teshuva (141:10).

There are additional leniencies when there is only a picture and it does not protrude outwards.

It is known that many Tzadikim would not draw forms that looked like a cross even if they were intended as something else. Thus certainly there is room for one who wishes to be stringent in this matter.

See here.

 

 

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