Netziv (Devarim 04::09) The inherent nature of the Jewish people is to lust after idolatry and consequently one who strives to be faithful to G-d deserves a greater reward than those who lack this lust.
The impression I've always had is that everyone around there had the lust for AZ, just that the Jews seems to have it stronger because of the corresponding reward for staying loyal to God.
According to one view, they abolished external idolatry, not the phenomenon in general. Today, for example, we see idolatry in self-worship. People claim to believe in God but only as long as He agrees with their values and beliefs. That affects Jews as much as anyone else. Frankly, with the repeated chilul HaShem's we see out of the Chareidi community, all of which are justified by The Gedolim(tm) as being "in defense of Toyreh!" we see it's doing quite well.
The impression I've always had is that everyone around there had the lust for AZ, just that the Jews seems to have it stronger because of the corresponding reward for staying loyal to God.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a tonic for the faithful in a time of emancipation and assimilation. After all, the sages had abolished idolatry.
ReplyDeleteAccording to one view, they abolished external idolatry, not the phenomenon in general. Today, for example, we see idolatry in self-worship. People claim to believe in God but only as long as He agrees with their values and beliefs. That affects Jews as much as anyone else. Frankly, with the repeated chilul HaShem's we see out of the Chareidi community, all of which are justified by The Gedolim(tm) as being "in defense of Toyreh!" we see it's doing quite well.
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