Understanding the Grotesque Worship of Baal-Peor and the Unwavering Value of Human Life

Show Notes
Transcript

"Why would anyone worship an idol by defecating on it? Unpack the shocking rituals of Baal-Peor and their deeper meanings with us." This episode takes a closer look at the bewildering and grotesque acts of idolatry practiced by the worshippers of Baal-Peor. We unravel the Mishnah in Sanhedrin and Rashi's commentary to understand why such an act was considered a form of devotion. Discover the unsettling nature of these practices and Rav Hutner's profound insights into the nihilistic philosophy underpinning Baal-Peor worship. This disturbing perspective suggests that life's ultimate meaninglessness leads to indulgence in base desires and sins.

Contrast this with the Jewish belief in the immeasurable value of human life. Rav Hutner's teachings illustrate Judaism's emphasis on "Gadlus HaAdam," celebrating man's greatness and the eternal significance of our actions. We discuss how this philosophy stands firmly opposed to the nihilism of Baal-Peor, promoting instead the pursuit of higher spiritual achievements and the priceless nature of existence. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on these contrasting worldviews and their implications.

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Transcript

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he who defecates upon the idol named Baal-P'or is deemed liable and receives the death penalty.

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Why?

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How is that a form of service to Avodah Zarah, to an idol, defecating upon something normally shows its disgrace and its low existence, but not so, says the Mishnah in Sanhedrin, with Rashi over there, when it comes to the Baal Peor.

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That is the way that it is served.

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You defecate upon it.

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That's the service, that's the Avodah in that Avodah Zarah.

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And this all comes up because at the end of our parasha, parasha's bollock, when some of the Israelites become involved in Baal Peor, begin to sin and defecate upon this idol Rashi picks up on.

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Why is this idol named Baal Peor?

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What an odd name for an idol.

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Well, peor says Rashi is all part of the service, says Rashi is all part of the service.

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Pa'ar is the part of the body that's the end of one's intestines.

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Follow my drift here.

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When the food follows all the way through one's inner intestines and becomes excreted by that body part, the end of the digestive tract where food makes its exit, that is the part of the body called Pa'ar and you expose that to do the Avodah Zarah.

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That's why the part of the body called Pa'ar, and you expose that to do the Avodah Zarah.

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That's why it's called Ba'al Pa'ar.

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What an odd thing Rav Hutner wants to know about.

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Why is it that anyone would ever want to engage in such a weird practice, even though seeking Avodah Zarah idolatry?

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But this, this is just cruel.

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It's odd.

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And now that Jews are involved in it, what part of somebody would ever want to be involved in Avodah Zarah like that?

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And says Rav Putner, because at the crux, the very pinnacle of every Avodah Zarah is the quest to think that nothing is important down here on this earth.

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So we might as well just yolo, throw our lives away and begin sinning.

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The avodah is that life is meaningless, valueless and rendered worthless Because, just like if one eats a big scrumptious steak or a juicy red apple or some sour sticks, it all ends up in the same place, excreted, becoming manure.

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So too, everything is worthless down here, no matter what you do or what item it is, or who you are.

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It is all meaningless.

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So we might as well begin to indulge in sin.

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But that is the opposite of what Judaism stands for, continues Rav Hutner, the great Rashi Shiva.

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He tells us that Judaism stands for the opposite of Baal Peor.

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It's about Godless HaOdom, that this world is incredibly valuable, in fact, even priceless.

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Man can become eternal.

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Man can become immortal.

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Man in his perfect state can even be mistaken for a God, as it says for Hashem, as the angels began to say Kadosh, kadosh, kadosh, when Adam was brought into the world, because they took him to be a Kadosh Baruch Hu.

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That is the greatness of man, the opposite of Baal Peor, and that is godless for Adam.

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That the altar of Baal Peor, and that is godless Ha'adam.

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That the author of Stabotka requested that his students live by with greatness, with raising themselves up and keeping their chins up high, looking up for what can be accomplished in this world.

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Even Balaam saw it.

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That from mere dust particles we do tremendous amounts of mitzvot, because there's nothing that's pointless or valueless in this world For us.

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We raise ourselves up.

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We don't necessarily just strive to be better, but we strive to get higher, because godless ha'adam is what we are after, the exact opposite of the service of the Avodah Zarah Baal Peor.

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To get higher because godless ha'adam is what we are after, the exact opposite of the service of the Avodah Zarah Baal Pe'ar.

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