Devoted exclusively to Chapter 10 of Hilkhot Avodah Zarah, this week we dive into the laws regarding Jewish sovereignty and its implications for our relationships with idolaters living in the Land of Israel. Both compelling and challenging, these laws help clarify how we are meant to see ourselves as well as others.

In the remainder of Chapter 9 of Avodah Zarah, we explore more fascinating commercial interactions between Jews, idolaters and apostate Jews and learn the ways in which financial instruments are used to navigate the borders between them in space and time

We begin Chapter 9 of Avodah Zarah, focussing on the question of intimacy with idolaters in the realm of time – how long before their festivals do you have to stop doing business with them? Can a Jew accept a Christmas present?

We conclude Chapter 8 with a look at our relationship with idolaters and idolatry, but in particular, with idols themselves

We begin Chapter 8, continuing out theme of the benefit we can (and cannot derive) from idolatry, here focussed particularly on the relationship with the natural world (mountains, trees, and religious sites)

We conclude Chapter 7 and its discussions of benefits from idolatry with some interesting (and unlikely!) cases

We continue the quest to understand Avodah Zarah - beginning the topic of gaining benefit from idolatrous worship

We discuss the laws of Molech (and the offering of children thereto) and the issues around prostration, particularly upon stone

We continue the discussion of the Mesit (proselytiser) and begin to look at the issues of Ov and Yidoni in Chapter 6 (Sorcery)