How Manasseh Brought an Idol Into the Holy Temple

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayikra 9:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Ecclesiastes 3:16): "The place of justice—there [was] wickedness." This is the central gate in which the Great Sanhedrin sat: "there [was] wickedness." (Lamentations 2:9:) "Her gates have sunk into the ground." The Holy One, blessed be He, said (Ecclesiastes 3:16): "The place of justice—there [was] wickedness" (rasha). There was one place for the Righteous One of the world—the Holy Temple, which was set apart for the Shekhinah—and Manasseh did wickedly (hirshia) and brought an image into its midst.

Themes

Divine JusticeShekhinahIdolatry

Biblical References

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