Q&A: The Nature of the “Book of the Tao”
The Nature of the "Book of the Tao"
Question
Hello Rabbi,
My son has started reading Lao Tzu’s Book of the Tao with great interest.
He would like to know whether this book is tainted by idolatry, or by any other ethical flaw.
If you have any idea, we would be glad to know.
Thank you in advance,
Answer
Hello,
I am not familiar with the book, but it seems to me that Tao is not idolatry but rather a philosophical-spiritual outlook. As far as I know, there is no worship there of any idol.
But it would be worthwhile to ask someone who is more knowledgeable and familiar with it.
All the best,
Discussion on Answer
Lao Tzu wrote the Book of the Tao while leaving the city after the government had become corrupt.
I went through the book; it is entirely full of simple faith in “the source of the beginnings of heaven and earth”…
In Jewish tradition we received the names of the Holy One, blessed be He,
Lao Tzu does not dare define the name of the Creator of the world – “Without title, she is the mother of the myriad things.”
The meaning of “Tao” is: way.
It is possible that over the generations idol worshipers replaced their idolatry with the way of Lao Tzu and clothed it in their own trappings…
There are idolatrous entities in Taoism.
For example:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Pure_Ones