Friday, December 29, 2017

gentiles - Is hamsa allowed?


Does the Halacha allow the use of a hamsa as a good luck charm, considering that it originated as a Muslim symbol?



Answer



Ben Ish Hai (Shana Bet Parashat Pinehas sim. 13) actually endorses the Hamsa.


A few months ago, I asked HaGaon HaRav Meir Elyiahu Shelit"a this question (question 108 on RabiMeir.com):




שמעתי שקדן גדול בהיסטוריה, כי חמסה היא מן התרבות המוסלמית, ולכן החלטתי לתפוס לדעת כי היא, שאסור להשתמש בהם. האם זה נכון



He answered:



צורת החמסה אכן לקוחה מאגדה ערבית ישנה אולם מצינו הרבה מחכמי המערב שהיו משתתפים בצורה זו ואין פוצה פה ומצפצף ופשוט שאין פה משום חוקת הגוים.‏



He admits that it is taken from the Muslims, but since a lot of big rabbis didn't protest but actually promoted it, it is simple to him that there is no Hukot HaGoyim involved.


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