Warning of Cults in the Torah
Posted by:
Abba Eliyahu
()
Date: February 05, 2022 04:34AM
Leviticus 18:21 Do not allow any of your offspring to be offered up to Molech, and do not profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
Ibn Ezra, 11th century, comments:
The rabbis interpreted Molech as a general term for any idol whom a person accepts as a king over him. The word Molech is connected to the word melekh - king (Leviticus 18:21. Sefaria.org).
Sforno, 16th century, comments:
The difference between offering sacrifices to G-d and to Molech respectively is that G-d takes only animal sacrifices, whereas Molech takes human beings, specifically children, as a sacrifice. This would indicate that the worshiper (the father who gives his children to Molech) considers him more powerful than G-d (Leviticus 18:21. Sefaria.org).
Maimonides, 12th century, Mishneh Torah:
One is liable for leading any of his descendants to Molech, whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, whether sons or daughters, their children or grand-children, or any descendants. If he led his brothers, sisters, ancestors, or himself, to Molech, he is not liable; or if he led his offspring, while asleep or blind, he is not liable (Moses Haymson. Sefaria.org).
Ibn Ezra, 11th century, comments:
The rabbis interpreted Molech as a general term for any idol whom a person accepts as a king over him. The word Molech is connected to the word melekh - king (Leviticus 18:21. Sefaria.org).
Sforno, 16th century, comments:
The difference between offering sacrifices to G-d and to Molech respectively is that G-d takes only animal sacrifices, whereas Molech takes human beings, specifically children, as a sacrifice. This would indicate that the worshiper (the father who gives his children to Molech) considers him more powerful than G-d (Leviticus 18:21. Sefaria.org).
Maimonides, 12th century, Mishneh Torah:
One is liable for leading any of his descendants to Molech, whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, whether sons or daughters, their children or grand-children, or any descendants. If he led his brothers, sisters, ancestors, or himself, to Molech, he is not liable; or if he led his offspring, while asleep or blind, he is not liable (Moses Haymson. Sefaria.org).