Even if all the Jewish people worshipped idols, but lived together in peace, the sages taught, G‑d could not punish them.
All the more so when they are united in a good cause—that oneness is a receptacle wide enough for open miracles.
Still Not Convinced Looking at this again fresh after two years, I am no more comfortable with this idea, even with "even," than I was before. The mitzvot against idolatry are so plentiful, diverse, powerful, negative, and strict, I continue to be baffled that we allow the possibility of it even to enter our minds and souls. If it's a null set, it's meaningless to raise. If it's a possibility, there is no living in peace if we worship idols. Further, I suspect if we all worshiped idols there would be no one there to protest it. At least in the times of the prophets, a few stood with G-d to protest. Fwiw, this one Jew will write his little missive against this thinking each time it passes my eyes. Reply
Together is Spiritual
Being together generates a resemblance to our spiritual form. The synergy created between us channels a higher solution, love, harmony...
Connecting together for the sake of yearning to sense the Upper Force, we create a vessel able to receive His Light for us to pour over humanity. Then everything calms down miraculously as we gather more parts together.
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IF is a big word. If is a big word, as he said; "even if all the jewish people". As I learned in parsha Eikev, Moses reminds us of all the commandments we should follow, and the 40 year trek thru the desert, that the desert trek was also a test, to see what was truly in their hearts. So, "if all the Jewish people....." This could also be a test "if" it was to happen. A test to mankind to see "if" they would continue to disobey his commandment. Blessed is he. Reply
Revision Prefixed the word "Even" to this thought. I hope this serves to clarify matters. For further clarification, please see the sources cited beneath the article. Reply
Together WITH the One G-d
Although a great admirer of Rabbi Freeman, I profoundly disagree with what he has written here.
Rashi's text and that of the other midrashim he cites do not imagine in any way a compatibility of idol worship and our people living in peace. They need to be read much more carefully; they're written the way they are for another purpose.
Pulling them out of their context, especially the text in Hosea, and plopping the thought out there that this possibility of compatibility is real is dangerously misleading, as witnessed by the discomfort and confusion in many of the other comments.
Idol worship never promotes peace among our people and is NEVER to be tolerated and always is to be resisted and fought. And conjecture about its conceivably being okay under certain circumstances is very risky business.
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Follow thats good from above
For what is peace without Torah and how does one obtain unity in the nations for all must be unified in He above. As we know that good and bad are united and that Torah separates.
As for the thought of unity in idols for that which has been spoken: "They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them."
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Idolatry? And yet, as an Indian non-jew of a ch of England background, I am truly struck by the thought expressed. So real in a way. Some insight! Maybe at times could be forgivable. Though not as a rule. I reckon a man may turn to idols in ignorance. The jewish folk by and large are more aware of their faith. If they worship idols, it truly would make them less jewish. Shalom! Reply
Togetherness To achieve unity,wholeness,oneness this is the essence of G-D'S spirit.To bring all people together with a common purpose and a common goal is a great accomplishment,and when you add the truth to this accomplishment,miracles happen. Reply
Together
With all due respect for your wonderful insight which is always valuable but not always clear and crisp.
If the people of Israel in a united effort for their notion of peace decided to give all of YESHA and Jerusalem to the Hamas terrorists would G-D refrain from stearn judgment ?
Group solidarity is a lovely thing but when the group is united for a misguided or evil purpose G-D will yet give every soul alive the work of our own hands.
The act itself would be a profound punishment.
My version is as I heard it from my own Infinite Soul after much Torah study.
The tradition is magnificent but it does not trump common sense.
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Source
For the source of this idea, see Rashi to verse 2 on this page.
"Peace is great, for, even if Israel worships idols, but there is peace among them, Satan does not bring charges against them, as it is said: (above 4:17) “Ephraim is joined: although he worships idols, let him alone.” Strife, however, is hated, as it is said: “Their heart has parted; now they will be guilty.” Satan can open his mouth to bring charges."
The same is stated in at least 18 midrashic sources.
My version is as I heard the Rebbe cite it.
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Together
This one makes little sense and seems vapid..
This kind of spirituality often seems stilted, mechanical, and overly dependent on what has been said in the past.
G-D can do as He pleases and idolatry is punishment in itself.
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Together Perhaps this is referring to the Mezzuzah, for is it not an idolic form that we Jews "worship" or is a reminder to worship - and the Mezzuzah is not a bad thing; nor are our bodies - for they themselves are temples and do we not by what we eat and our practice of fitfullness a form of worship, and shouldn't we as Jews worship our own bodies so that we may continue to worship G-d? Reply
Open miracles I respectfully disaggree. Obedience Deuteronomy 29:9 is better than sacrifice. Knowledge of Torah, the Word, Visualization Genesis 15:5, Forgiveness Isaiah 53:4-5, Persistence Job 42:10, Sowing Malachi 3:10-11, Praise Psalm 35:27. Abraham was G-g's friend because he Believed G-d. 2 Chronicles 20:20, do what the prophet of G-g tells you. Our faith (Implement, Engage, Press in) is part of the Key to open miracles, it is mostly G-d's Great Goodness, thank you! Baruch Hashem! Celine Reply
open miracles what is the meaning of "open miracles"? is their a closed miracle? Reply
Idol worship This one needs a bit more explanation for so, did our forefathers worshiping the golden calf and that changed the course of our days. Reply
Together Could you please expound on the part of all of Israel being united in paganism? I have NEVER heard this. You're telling me that the fact that G-d has mentioned many times that He is a jealous G-d and hates idolatry goes out the window because of unity?? I'm completely speechless. Reply
DAily Dose: Together Please provide an explanation. I don't understand. why the sages would say if all the Jewish people worshipped one idol together, G-d would not punish them. Reply
Response to Rosalie I can also sort out which of my kids is causing trouble and which are just following. But when they show such unity, making the trouble together, I simply don't want to punish them. What thing can I give them more valuable than having one another? Reply
together How sad for anyone to think that the master of the universe would be unable to sort out the wrong doers from those who practice the commandments. My thought is: it would take a very foolish man to try to put that one over on G-d. Surely someone who would encourage such intentional sin would face severe punishment.... Reply
Not according to the Torah!