Dear Rabbi Simon,
I was recently reminded of the stunning beauty of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, the Mesa Verde and, of course, the Grand Canyon.
Are there any halachic concerns or limitations in visiting these landscapes given their significance to our Native compatriots, who consider some of these natural wonders as sacred ground?
Manny
Hi Manny
Thank you for your interesting question. There is no halakhic impediment to exploring and enjoying a region regarded as sacred by Native Americans. Did/do the American Indians follow pantheism, polytheism, animism? Difficult to say for certain, but these are all forbidden forms of Divine worship or attribution for us (and possibly for them, too, as per Noachide Law). Nevertheless, the land itself and its natural features do not become forbidden even if they are worshipped by some populations. (This is not necessarily true of a man-made structure, such as a totem pole, which may have the status of an object of “foreign worship”, ie avodah zarah. Requires further analysis.)
Back to Monument Valley: You may even recite the blessing on seeing remarkable natural vistas or phenomena, “Who performs the work of creation” (see Artscroll Siddur p. 228).
Best wishes
Rabbi Rashi Simon