Parshas Vaeschanan
“You may not favor them” (Devarim 6,2)
It is a negative commandment not to have compassion on those who serve idols, and not one thing about them should be correct in our eyes, that is to say, we should keep the idea that there may be something about an idol worshipper that is worthwhile far from our thoughts and (this idea) should not be uttered from our mouths, and they should not find favor in our eyes for any reason, up to the point that Chazal say that it is forbidden to say “How beautiful that idol-worshipper is” or “how nice and pleasant he is”. And concerning this it says “and you shall not favor them” and Chazal have explained the intention of the verse, that you shall not attribute beauty to them, as we have explained. There are those of our Rabbis who learned from this verse that it is forbidden to give them free gifts, and this is all one idea.
Amongst the roots of this commandment, since the initiation of all actions of a person lies in fixing his thoughts on actions, and articulating them in words, and after the thought and the words follow the actions; therefore by refraining from finding benefit and favour in idol-worshippers either in thoughts or in words, we are thereby prevented through this from connecting with them and from pursuing their love and from learning anything from their bad deeds.
Amongst the laws of this commandment, is that which Chazal say, that this prohibition, applies only to a person who worships idols but a non-Jew who has accepted the seven Noahide laws upon himself, one may support him (financially) and give him free gifts. Furthermore, Chazal say that it is obligatory to support the needy non-Jew with the needy Jew, because of the ways of peace.
This commandment applies in every place and at every time, to men and women.
