Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Clothing that has a cross?

 Teshuvos V’hanhugos (2:411) Question: Can clothing which has a cross on them be worn? Answer: According to the letter of the law it would be permitted even though it is prohibited to make. Therefore if one already bought it, he does not have to abstain from wearing it since it was not made to worship. While there is a dispute between the Rema and the Shach and Gra whether to be machmir in a case that it is not worshipped, perhaps the Rema would agree in modern times when they are not so fanatic about their religion  and it is merely part of the style and not considered a religious symbol it is permitted especially if it doesn’t physically stand out. Nevertheless it is still disgusting and should at least initially be avoided and not bought. Rav Yakov Kaminetsky had the practice to be strict and not even write a cross or any notation that looked like a cross. Even though he did this as an act of piety I was told he once said he wasn’t sure that this was not required by halacha.

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