Avodah Zarah
Encyclopedia
Avodah Zarah is the name of a tractate in the Talmud
, located in Nezikin
, the fourth Order of the Talmud dealing with damages. The main topic of the tractate is laws pertaining to Jews living amongst Gentile
s, including regulations about the interaction between Jews and "idolaters" (who represented most of the Gentile population during the time of the Talmud), both for distancing Jews from the act of idolatry in every shape as well as distancing Jews from the threat of cultural assimilation
.
Because of its subject matter, Avodah Zarah has probably been the most controversial tractate in the Talmud, and historically it has been the subject of criticism from Christian Church. Christians view the polemic of the tractate as being directed at them, and as painting them as idolaters and immoral people. The traditional Orthodox
attitude has been that the tractate was authored in times of the Roman persecution
and that this is what is generally meant by "idolatry" in the tractate.
The placing of the tractate in the order of "damages" says something about the attitude of the Sages towards idolatry. By engaging in idolatry, a person is seen as in effect denying God
's creation and doing actual damage to the spiritual forces of creation. It also has the effect of removing the action of idolatry from a purely abstract notion into a real transgression with tangible effects and punishments, alongside theft and swearing a false oath.
, the entire tractate was expunged from many European editions by Christian censors and it was considerably difficult to obtain a copy. Where the tractate was present there were more censored passages in Avodah Zarah than in any other tractate of the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli). Certainly, despite the fact that many of the laws from the tractate are in force today, a large number are either out of force, out of practice or have been deemed no longer necessary by more liberal Orthodox rabbi
s over the centuries
Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz and David Berger
Christianity is a form of idolatry and avoda zara as it involves the worship of a man whereas The Creator of this world is not a physical creation, and is beyond time and space.
Most Christian churches permit the artistic creation of objects of worship. Throughout history, many images of Jesus Christ have been drawn, painted, sculpted, molded, and casted. These man-made images are often placed and accepted in the minds of worshippers as they pray, thus provoking the creator's commandments in Exodus 34:11-27, Deuteronomy 5:6-9, Exodus 20:2-5. It is the seal, mark or thought that is bound in the foreheads (minds) and hands (actions) that constitute the breach of the covenant and "strange worship".
is according to the standard numbering; however, different versions split up the individual mishnayot or combine them and the chapter breaks may vary as well.
Chapter One (nine mishnayot) deals with the prohibition of trade with idolaters around their festival (so as not to be complicit in the festivity) and the items that are forbidden to be sold to idolaters (which is basically any item that the idolater is likely to offer in an idolatrous service or commit an immoral act with). Thus, the main commandment explored in the chapter is lifnei iver
.
Chapter Two (seven mishnayot) deals with precautions against the violence and immorality of idolaters and the items that are forbidden/permitted to be bought from idolaters. These include categories of objects that may be by-products of idolatrous services as well as foods with a difficult to identify kashrut
status.
Chapter Three (ten mishnayot) deals with the laws of various images/idols and the asherah
(idolatrous tree). Thus, it details the distinctions between forbidden and permitted use of various aspects and states of idolatrous items.
Chapter Four (twelve mishnayot) deals with benefit from the auxiliary items of a markulis (a Roman deity consisting of a heap of stones whereby worship consisted of throwing stones and thus adding to the heap) and other idols, the nullification of an idol (effected by an idolater deliberately defacing his/her idol) and the laws detailing the prohibition of the use and benefit of Yayin Nesech.
Chapter Five (twelve mishnayot) continues detailing the prohibition of yayin nesech and the kashering
of utensils used by idolaters.
on Avodah Zarah was the main target of controversy and criticism. Of all the texts in Rabbinic Judaism, this is probably the one in which it is most difficult to obtain an "authentic" version as almost all the pages have had censorship imposed. In the standard Vilna edition of the Talmud, the tractate has 76 folios. In terms of the actual length of the Gemara, Avodah Zarah is fairly close to the middle, being an "average" length tractate.
A brief list of major topics in each chapter follows. Since the chief aim in the Gemara
is to explain and comment on the Mishnah
, this is implied and the topics mentioned will be ones that aren't directly about the Mishna (as a commentary is extremely difficult to summarize in a few lines). Folio references in parentheses are approximate and without a side (i.e. a or b).
Chapter One (folios 2-22)
The tractate jumps almost straight into a long series of aggadah
and abounds in aggadic material such as the plight of the nations in the World to Come(2), the Noahide Covenant and God's laughter(3), God's anger and punishment methodologies for both the Jews and Gentiles(4), the sin of the Golden Calf and its relation to immortality(5), an exposition of Jewish history around the destruction of the Second Temple(8-9), the nature of heresy and the stories of the martyrdom of some eminent Rabbis in the Roman persecution(16-18) and a detailed exposition of Psalm 1(19). Halakhic
material related to the immediate subject matter of the tractate includes the laws of attending an idolater's wedding(8), performing an act that looks like idolatry(12), benefiting idolatry(13) and selling weapons to idolaters(15). Halakhic material less related to the main subject matter includes praying for oneself(7), dating documents(10), what can be burnt at a Jewish king's funeral(11), causing a blemish on an animal before and after the Temple's destruction(13) and selling materials to someone suspected of flouting the Sabbatical Year
laws(15).
Chapter Two (folios 22-40)
This chapter is similar to the last in being long and containing diverse material. Halakhic material related to the tractate includes the laws of buying an animal from an idolater for a sacrifice(23-24), circumcisions performed by idolaters(27), the status of Gentile beer(31), the dung of an ox intended for idolatry(34) and the prohibition of intercourse with Gentiles(36). Halakhic material less related to the tractate includes the laws of a Jewish apostate(26-27), a unique section outlining in detail many medicinal remedies from the Talmudic era(28-29), the safety/contamination issues in leaving water/wine uncovered(30), the process of overruling a previous Rabbinic court(37) and the finer details of recognising kosher fish(39-40). There is some haggadic material describing the return of the Ark after its capture by the Philistines
(24) and the sun standing still for Joshua
(25).
Chapter Three (folios 40-49)
This chapter mainly deals with just the Mishna and other laws relating to idolatry, including the status of an idol shattered by accident(41) and the consequences of worshipping various objects(46-47). There is a small haggadic paragraph on the crown King David wore(44).
Chapter Four (folios 49-61)
This chapter is halakhic
, dealing mainly with the Mishna. Other laws to do with idolatry discussed include sacrificing to an idol(51), food and vessels associated with idolatry(52), the exchange for an idol(54) and the status of a Gentile child in rendering idolatrous wine(57). Extraneous halakhic material includes the activities allowed and forbidden in the Sabbatical Year and cases of Rabbis making rulings for specific communities following their own opinion(59).
Chapter Five (folios 62-76)
This chapter is halakhic, dealing with the Mishna and a large number of related topics of Gentile wine. Some of these are small and many of the folios are made up of a great deal of logical units that are difficult to summarise. A selection of halakhic material to do with idolatry and idolatrous wine includes the forcible opening of wine by idolaters(70) and the stream created when pouring wine(72). Other halakhic material includes the laws of a harlot's wage(62-63), the definition of a Ger Toshav
(64), acquisition of property by a Gentile(71-72) and settling a price in negotiations(72). There is one aggadic paragraph where a rabbi explains the merits of the World to Come to a Gentile friend.
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, located in Nezikin
Nezikin
For Jewish law on damages, see Damages Nezikin or Seder Nezikin is the fourth Order of the Mishna...
, the fourth Order of the Talmud dealing with damages. The main topic of the tractate is laws pertaining to Jews living amongst Gentile
Gentile
The term Gentile refers to non-Israelite peoples or nations in English translations of the Bible....
s, including regulations about the interaction between Jews and "idolaters" (who represented most of the Gentile population during the time of the Talmud), both for distancing Jews from the act of idolatry in every shape as well as distancing Jews from the threat of cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation
Cultural assimilation is a socio-political response to demographic multi-ethnicity that supports or promotes the assimilation of ethnic minorities into the dominant culture. The term assimilation is often used with regard to immigrants and various ethnic groups who have settled in a new land. New...
.
Because of its subject matter, Avodah Zarah has probably been the most controversial tractate in the Talmud, and historically it has been the subject of criticism from Christian Church. Christians view the polemic of the tractate as being directed at them, and as painting them as idolaters and immoral people. The traditional Orthodox
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
attitude has been that the tractate was authored in times of the Roman persecution
Jewish-Roman wars
The Jewish–Roman wars were a series of large-scale revolts by the Jews of Iudaea Province and Eastern Mediterranean against the Roman Empire. Some sources use the term to refer only to the First Jewish–Roman War and Bar Kokhba revolt...
and that this is what is generally meant by "idolatry" in the tractate.
The placing of the tractate in the order of "damages" says something about the attitude of the Sages towards idolatry. By engaging in idolatry, a person is seen as in effect denying God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
's creation and doing actual damage to the spiritual forces of creation. It also has the effect of removing the action of idolatry from a purely abstract notion into a real transgression with tangible effects and punishments, alongside theft and swearing a false oath.
Relationship with Christianity
In the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, the entire tractate was expunged from many European editions by Christian censors and it was considerably difficult to obtain a copy. Where the tractate was present there were more censored passages in Avodah Zarah than in any other tractate of the Babylonian Talmud (Talmud Bavli). Certainly, despite the fact that many of the laws from the tractate are in force today, a large number are either out of force, out of practice or have been deemed no longer necessary by more liberal Orthodox rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
s over the centuries
Rabbi Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz and David Berger
David Berger (professor)
David Berger is the dean of Yeshiva University's Bernard Revel Graduate School, as well as chair of Yeshiva College's Jewish Studies department...
Christianity is a form of idolatry and avoda zara as it involves the worship of a man whereas The Creator of this world is not a physical creation, and is beyond time and space.
Most Christian churches permit the artistic creation of objects of worship. Throughout history, many images of Jesus Christ have been drawn, painted, sculpted, molded, and casted. These man-made images are often placed and accepted in the minds of worshippers as they pray, thus provoking the creator's commandments in Exodus 34:11-27, Deuteronomy 5:6-9, Exodus 20:2-5. It is the seal, mark or thought that is bound in the foreheads (minds) and hands (actions) that constitute the breach of the covenant and "strange worship".
Mishna
The tractate consists of five chapters. The number of mishnayotMishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
is according to the standard numbering; however, different versions split up the individual mishnayot or combine them and the chapter breaks may vary as well.
Chapter One (nine mishnayot) deals with the prohibition of trade with idolaters around their festival (so as not to be complicit in the festivity) and the items that are forbidden to be sold to idolaters (which is basically any item that the idolater is likely to offer in an idolatrous service or commit an immoral act with). Thus, the main commandment explored in the chapter is lifnei iver
Lifnei iver
The Hebrew phrase "before the blind" is a way of referring to the concept of a stumbling block in rabbinical texts. The origin comes from the Hebrew Bible where Leviticus instructs "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind , but shalt fear thy God: I am the ...
.
Chapter Two (seven mishnayot) deals with precautions against the violence and immorality of idolaters and the items that are forbidden/permitted to be bought from idolaters. These include categories of objects that may be by-products of idolatrous services as well as foods with a difficult to identify kashrut
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
status.
Chapter Three (ten mishnayot) deals with the laws of various images/idols and the asherah
Asherah
Asherah , in Semitic mythology, is a Semitic mother goddess, who appears in a number of ancient sources including Akkadian writings by the name of Ashratum/Ashratu and in Hittite as Asherdu or Ashertu or Aserdu or Asertu...
(idolatrous tree). Thus, it details the distinctions between forbidden and permitted use of various aspects and states of idolatrous items.
Chapter Four (twelve mishnayot) deals with benefit from the auxiliary items of a markulis (a Roman deity consisting of a heap of stones whereby worship consisted of throwing stones and thus adding to the heap) and other idols, the nullification of an idol (effected by an idolater deliberately defacing his/her idol) and the laws detailing the prohibition of the use and benefit of Yayin Nesech.
Chapter Five (twelve mishnayot) continues detailing the prohibition of yayin nesech and the kashering
Kashrut
Kashrut is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha is termed kosher in English, from the Ashkenazi pronunciation of the Hebrew term kashér , meaning "fit" Kashrut (also kashruth or kashrus) is the set of Jewish dietary laws. Food in accord with halakha (Jewish law) is termed...
of utensils used by idolaters.
Talmud Bavli
This GemaraGemara
The Gemara is the component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah. After the Mishnah was published by Rabbi Judah the Prince The Gemara (also transliterated Gemora or, less commonly, Gemorra; from Aramaic גמרא gamar; literally, "[to] study" or "learning by...
on Avodah Zarah was the main target of controversy and criticism. Of all the texts in Rabbinic Judaism, this is probably the one in which it is most difficult to obtain an "authentic" version as almost all the pages have had censorship imposed. In the standard Vilna edition of the Talmud, the tractate has 76 folios. In terms of the actual length of the Gemara, Avodah Zarah is fairly close to the middle, being an "average" length tractate.
A brief list of major topics in each chapter follows. Since the chief aim in the Gemara
Gemara
The Gemara is the component of the Talmud comprising rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah. After the Mishnah was published by Rabbi Judah the Prince The Gemara (also transliterated Gemora or, less commonly, Gemorra; from Aramaic גמרא gamar; literally, "[to] study" or "learning by...
is to explain and comment on the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
, this is implied and the topics mentioned will be ones that aren't directly about the Mishna (as a commentary is extremely difficult to summarize in a few lines). Folio references in parentheses are approximate and without a side (i.e. a or b).
Chapter One (folios 2-22)
The tractate jumps almost straight into a long series of aggadah
Aggadah
Aggadah refers to the homiletic and non-legalistic exegetical texts in the classical rabbinic literature of Judaism, particularly as recorded in the Talmud and Midrash...
and abounds in aggadic material such as the plight of the nations in the World to Come(2), the Noahide Covenant and God's laughter(3), God's anger and punishment methodologies for both the Jews and Gentiles(4), the sin of the Golden Calf and its relation to immortality(5), an exposition of Jewish history around the destruction of the Second Temple(8-9), the nature of heresy and the stories of the martyrdom of some eminent Rabbis in the Roman persecution(16-18) and a detailed exposition of Psalm 1(19). Halakhic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
material related to the immediate subject matter of the tractate includes the laws of attending an idolater's wedding(8), performing an act that looks like idolatry(12), benefiting idolatry(13) and selling weapons to idolaters(15). Halakhic material less related to the main subject matter includes praying for oneself(7), dating documents(10), what can be burnt at a Jewish king's funeral(11), causing a blemish on an animal before and after the Temple's destruction(13) and selling materials to someone suspected of flouting the Sabbatical Year
Sabbatical year (Bible)
Shmita , also called the Sabbatical Year, is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel, and still observed in contemporary Judaism....
laws(15).
Chapter Two (folios 22-40)
This chapter is similar to the last in being long and containing diverse material. Halakhic material related to the tractate includes the laws of buying an animal from an idolater for a sacrifice(23-24), circumcisions performed by idolaters(27), the status of Gentile beer(31), the dung of an ox intended for idolatry(34) and the prohibition of intercourse with Gentiles(36). Halakhic material less related to the tractate includes the laws of a Jewish apostate(26-27), a unique section outlining in detail many medicinal remedies from the Talmudic era(28-29), the safety/contamination issues in leaving water/wine uncovered(30), the process of overruling a previous Rabbinic court(37) and the finer details of recognising kosher fish(39-40). There is some haggadic material describing the return of the Ark after its capture by the Philistines
Philistines
Philistines , Pleshet or Peleset, were a people who occupied the southern coast of Canaan at the beginning of the Iron Age . According to the Bible, they ruled the five city-states of Gaza, Askelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath, from the Wadi Gaza in the south to the Yarqon River in the north, but with...
(24) and the sun standing still for Joshua
Joshua
Joshua , is a minor figure in the Torah, being one of the spies for Israel and in few passages as Moses's assistant. He turns to be the central character in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Joshua...
(25).
Chapter Three (folios 40-49)
This chapter mainly deals with just the Mishna and other laws relating to idolatry, including the status of an idol shattered by accident(41) and the consequences of worshipping various objects(46-47). There is a small haggadic paragraph on the crown King David wore(44).
Chapter Four (folios 49-61)
This chapter is halakhic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
, dealing mainly with the Mishna. Other laws to do with idolatry discussed include sacrificing to an idol(51), food and vessels associated with idolatry(52), the exchange for an idol(54) and the status of a Gentile child in rendering idolatrous wine(57). Extraneous halakhic material includes the activities allowed and forbidden in the Sabbatical Year and cases of Rabbis making rulings for specific communities following their own opinion(59).
Chapter Five (folios 62-76)
This chapter is halakhic, dealing with the Mishna and a large number of related topics of Gentile wine. Some of these are small and many of the folios are made up of a great deal of logical units that are difficult to summarise. A selection of halakhic material to do with idolatry and idolatrous wine includes the forcible opening of wine by idolaters(70) and the stream created when pouring wine(72). Other halakhic material includes the laws of a harlot's wage(62-63), the definition of a Ger Toshav
Ger toshav
Ger toshav , is a term used in Judaism to refer to a gentile who is a "resident alien", that is, one who lives in a Jewish state and has certain protections under Jewish law, and is considered a righteous gentile .-Definition:...
(64), acquisition of property by a Gentile(71-72) and settling a price in negotiations(72). There is one aggadic paragraph where a rabbi explains the merits of the World to Come to a Gentile friend.