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Leviticus 20:2 - Idolatry's severe consequence?

Leviticus 20:2 - ויקרא 20:2

Hebrew Text

וְאֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל תֹּאמַר אִישׁ אִישׁ מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּמִן־הַגֵּר הַגָּר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן מִזַּרְעוֹ לַמֹּלֶךְ מוֹת יוּמָת עַם הָאָרֶץ יִרְגְּמֻהוּ בָאָבֶן׃

English Translation

Again, thou shalt say to the children of Yisra᾽el, Whoever he be of the children of Yisra᾽el, or of the strangers that sojourn in Yisra᾽el, that gives any of his seed to Molekh; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.

Transliteration

Ve'el-bnei Yisrael tomar ish ish mibnei Yisrael umin-hager hagar beYisrael asher yiten mizar'o laMolekh mot yumat am ha'aretz yirgemuhu va'aven.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ תֹּאמַר֒ אִ֣ישׁ אִישׁ֩ מִבְּנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּמִן־הַגֵּ֣ר <b>׀</b> הַגָּ֣ר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן מִזַּרְע֛וֹ לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑ת עַ֥ם הָאָ֖רֶץ יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ בָאָֽבֶן׃
וְאֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ תֹּאמַר֒ אִ֣ישׁ אִישׁ֩ מִבְּנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּמִן־הַגֵּ֣ר ׀ הַגָּ֣ר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן מִזַּרְע֛וֹ לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑ת עַ֥ם הָאָ֖רֶץ יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ בָאָֽבֶן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Prohibition of Child Sacrifice to Molekh

The verse (Vayikra 20:2) prohibits the abhorrent practice of giving one's offspring to Molekh, a pagan deity associated with child sacrifice. The Torah mandates the death penalty for this transgression, to be carried out by stoning (skilah). Rashi explains that Molekh worship involved passing a child through fire as an offering, a practice utterly antithetical to Jewish values of sanctity of life.

Inclusion of Strangers (Gerim)

The verse explicitly includes "the stranger that sojourns in Israel" in this prohibition. Rambam (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 5:3) derives from this that the prohibition applies equally to Jews and resident aliens (ger toshav), demonstrating that certain fundamental moral laws are binding upon all inhabitants of the land.

Severity of the Transgression

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 64a) discusses this prohibition at length, noting its exceptional severity:

  • It is one of the few sins for which the court actively intervenes to prevent transgression
  • The punishment is execution by stoning, the most severe form of capital punishment
  • The phrase "am ha'aretz yirg'muhu" (the people of the land shall stone him) indicates communal participation in enforcement

Spiritual Significance

The Sforno explains that this prohibition represents a complete rejection of idolatrous worldviews that devalue human life. By contrast, Judaism teaches that children are a sacred trust from Hashem. The Midrash (Toras Kohanim) connects this to the idea that one who gives their child to Molekh effectively denies Hashem's sovereignty.

Contemporary Application

While the specific practice of Molekh worship no longer exists, Chazon Ish (Yoreh De'ah 116:6) notes that the underlying principles remain relevant - prohibiting any form of child endangerment or abuse that might parallel this ancient transgression against the sanctity of life.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sanhedrin 64a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition against giving one's offspring to Molech, detailing the severity of the sin and the punishment.
📖 Megillah 25a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the public reading of certain Torah portions that include severe prohibitions, such as the one against Molech worship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'giving seed to Molekh' mean in Leviticus 20:2?
A: According to Rashi and traditional Jewish sources, 'giving seed to Molekh' refers to the idolatrous practice of passing one's child through fire as a form of worship to the pagan deity Molekh. This was a severe prohibition in the Torah, punishable by death.
Q: Why is the punishment for worshiping Molekh so severe?
A: The Rambam (Maimonides) explains that worshiping Molekh was considered one of the most grievous sins because it involved child sacrifice, a complete rejection of Hashem's sanctity of life, and could lead others astray. The Torah imposes the death penalty to uproot this evil practice from Israel.
Q: Does the prohibition against Molekh apply to converts ('ger') as well?
A: Yes, the verse explicitly states that the prohibition applies both to native-born Israelites and to converts ('ger'). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 64a) emphasizes that all who dwell among Israel are equally bound by these fundamental laws against idolatry.
Q: How does this verse apply today if we don't have courts that carry out capital punishment?
A: While we no longer carry out capital punishment without a Sanhedrin, the Torah's prohibition remains eternally binding. The Sefer HaChinuch teaches that this verse reminds us of the severity of idolatry and the sacredness of human life. Today, we focus on educating against any form of spiritual corruption that parallels ancient idolatry.
Q: What is the significance of the phrase 'the people of the land shall stone him'?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 42b) explains that execution by stoning involved the entire community to emphasize collective responsibility in upholding Torah values. Rashi notes this public nature serves as both punishment and deterrent, reinforcing society's rejection of such severe transgressions.