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Unkelos translates the verse: "Do not worship so before Hashem." In other words, Bnei Yisrael were told not to implement pagan practices in serving Hashem, which is certainly a logical command. The textual problem is, though, that "do not do so" follows the command to destroy the pagan gods, not the description of their worship.
Rashi brings three explanations. The first is, do not bring sacrifices to Hashem any place you desire, as it says in the following pasuk. The difficulty with this explanation is that the phrase in question implies strongly that it refers to that which precedes, not that which follows (see Ibn Ezra and Rashbam).
Another explanation, brought in R. Yishmael’s name, is that we should not cause our altars and Temple to be destroyed, which could happen if we act like the pagans. This is not the pasuk’s simple meaning, but let us mention a beautiful idea of the S’fat Emet in this regard. The Torah continues, "you shall seek His Presence." The inverse of R. Yishmael’s warning is that by seeking out the Mikdash even when it is destroyed, one causes it to be more speedily rebuilt.
Rashi’s third explanation is that while destroying the signs of worship, we should not destroy articles used for worship of Hashem or that include His Name. This fits the wording and sequence of the p’sukim, but it is still difficult to explain why one would think to destroy that which is Hashem’s.
Let us describe the background whereby one might think to destroy a Jewish altar. Upon returning to the Land of the Forefathers and their followers, Bnei Yisrael would encounter altars from the patriarchs’ time. Paradoxically, it was forbidden to use some of them and, at certain times, any of them. That is because matzeivot (monuments) became forbidden at Sinai and because all altars were forbidden when there was a central place of worship in Shilo and later in Yerushalayim. So what were Bnei Yisrael to do with the unusable, sacred altars and monuments? One might have thought to destroy them. Therefore, the Torah tells us that since they were associated with service of Hashem, one would have to dismantle them, while preserving their sanctity, and bury their components. The fact that this was a difficult undertaking would explain why it is was so hard to root out the forbidden use of extra-mikdash altars throughout the time of the first Beit Hamikdash. Indeed the bamot were a major problem until King Yoshiyahu took steps against them.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
