Q&A: Idolatry in Certain Circles
Idolatry in Certain Circles
Question
The Rabbi wrote: “Noam is exactly the same ‘they’ as the Haredim, just with a knitted kippah and one extra Hallel a year (plus ecstatic dances of the accessories of idolatry before the President, Prime Minister, and Chief of Staff on Jerusalem Day). These are nothing but Haredim with knitted kippot, with the addition of a dash of idolatry and a flowery, pathetic language that expresses a total disconnect from reality (what they call a ‘holy perspective’).”
In exactly what sense are they idol worshipers?
I don’t understand the inference.
A Torah scroll, a synagogue, and tefillin are holy.
So if I sing and stand when a Torah scroll is being carried before me, am I committing idolatry?!
Answer
The term ‘idolatry’ here does not appear in its halakhic sense. It means a kind of paganism. A Torah scroll and tefillin are holy because that is what Jewish law determines. The Torah and the Holy One, blessed be He, are what determine what is holy. Sanctifying other people or objects is a kind of paganism.
Does the Rabbi not think that it is proper to stand when a rabbi or another important person (the President, Prime Minister, etc.) enters the room?
What about all of Maimonides’ laws regarding honor for one’s rabbi?
And the verse: “Let the fear of your rabbi be like the fear of Heaven”?
Aren’t they simply being extra meticulous in fulfilling a commandment?