Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Rav Belsky - Original AZ was mother earth?

Rav Belsky in his book on alternative medicine states  that "the original AZ was the worship of 'Mother Earth' The mother in the following represents the earth." He cites AZ 43a as his source. 

However I can't find any sources that says this means something other than Eve. Does anyone know where he got this understanding?

 Avoda Zara (43a)The Sages interpret this verse as referring to the heavenly constellations, which indicates that it is prohibited to form only these figures, but it is not prohibited to form a figure of a dragon.Rather, the Gemara concludes, it is obvious that this halakha is referring to a case where one finds a vessel with the figure of a dragon, and this is as we learned in the mishna: In the case of one who finds vessels, and upon them is a figure of the sun, a figure of the moon, or a figure of a dragon, he must take them and cast them into the Dead Sea.The Gemara asks about the lack of consistency between the clauses of Rav Sheshet’s statement: Can it be that the first clause and the last clause are referring to a case where one finds vessels with the specified figures, and the middle clause is referring to a case where one forms these figures?Abaye said: Indeed, the first clause and the last clause are referring to cases where one finds vessels with figures, and the middle clause is referring to a case where one forms figures.Rava said: The entire statement of Rav Sheshet is referring to a case where one finds vessels with these figures, and the middle clause is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehuda. As it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Yehuda adds to the list of forbidden figures even a figure of a nursing woman and Sar Apis. The figure of a nursing woman is worshipped as it symbolizes Eve, who nurses the entire world. The figure of Sar Apis is worshipped as it symbolizes Joseph, who ruled over [sar] and appeased [mefis] the entire world by distributing food during the seven years of famine (see Genesis, chapter 41). But the figure of Sar Apis is forbidden only when it is holding a dry measure and measuring with it; and the figure of a nursing woman is forbidden only when she is holding a child and nursing it. 

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6 comments :

  1. Amazing how things come full circle with the new age cult of Gaia.

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  2. Concept of earth worship is part of Rambam's "Sabean "theory in his guide. See 1.36 in moreh nevuchim.

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  3. I just went through that chapter, and no visible reference to AZ, only Hullin -
    “they continue in the custom of their fathers.” (T. B. Ḥullin, 13
    )

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  4. You are citing Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim but the gemora in Chullin 13a does not say it! but 13b

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  5. Sefaria made the error, thank you for pointing it out

    ReplyDelete

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