Shofetim

Pisqa’ 146

Pisqa’ 1461

1

“Neither shall you erect for yourself a pillar” (Dt.16:22)—

I might infer only that

we should not erect a pillar.

How do I know that

this applies as well to

[an image worshipped in] a foreign cult?2

Reason dictates this!

Just as the pillar was cherished by the Patriarchs (e.g., Gn.28:18),

but hateful to their descendants (e.g., Ezek.16:17),

it is reasonable that

[an image worshipped in] a foreign cult,

which was hateful to the Patriarchs,

should also be hateful to their descendants!

  1. H:185; JN2:7.
  2. Cf. Mechilta Shimon-Nelson, p. 238.