The Warning Against Idol Worship Hidden in Plain Sight

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 348:4

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"He who sacrifices to the gods shall be utterly destroyed" (Exodus 22:19). The punishment we have heard, but the warning we have not heard. Therefore Scripture teaches, "You shall not bow down to them nor serve them" (Exodus 20:5). Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai says: But surely anyone who joins the name of the Omnipresent together with idol worship is liable to destruction, as it is said, "They feared the LORD and served their own gods" (2 Kings 17:33), and so forth. Some say: The Torah was given with its own letters [exactly as written], so that Israel should not say, "Since we are commanded concerning idol worship, let the idols be hidden away in pits, in trenches, and in caves [out of sight]." Therefore Scripture teaches, "upon the high mountains" and so forth (Deuteronomy 12:2) [naming where idols are destroyed], meaning upon the revealed things and not upon the hidden things.

Themes

IdolatryCommandmentsDivine Justice

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