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Numbers 25:2 - Idolatry's seductive banquet consequences?

Numbers 25:2 - במדבר 25:2

Hebrew Text

וַתִּקְרֶאןָ לָעָם לְזִבְחֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶן וַיֹּאכַל הָעָם וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּוּ לֵאלֹהֵיהֶן׃

English Translation

And they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods: and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods.

Transliteration

Vatikrena la'am lezivchei eloheihen vayokhal ha'am vayishtachavu leiloheihen

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּקְרֶ֣אןָ לָעָ֔ם לְזִבְחֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אכַל הָעָ֔ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶֽן׃
וַתִּקְרֶ֣אןָ לָעָ֔ם לְזִבְחֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ן וַיֹּ֣אכַל הָעָ֔ם וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲו֖וּ לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶֽן׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse (Shemot/Exodus 32:6) describes the behavior of Bnei Yisrael during the incident of the Golden Calf. After Aharon fashioned the calf, the people engaged in idolatrous worship, including sacrifices, feasting, and bowing down to the idol.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that the phrase "וַתִּקְרֶאןָ" ("and they called") refers to the mixed multitude (עֵרֶב רַב) who had joined Bnei Yisrael during the Exodus. These individuals were the instigators who led the people astray by proclaiming a festival for the Golden Calf. Rashi emphasizes that the primary transgression was not merely eating but the subsequent act of bowing down, which constituted full-fledged idol worship (avodah zarah).

Rambam's Perspective

In Mishneh Torah (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 1:1), Rambam discusses how idolatry often began with misguided attempts to honor intermediaries between man and Hashem. The feasting and bowing in this verse represent a complete deviation from monotheism, as the people attributed divine power to a created object.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tisa 19) notes that this sin occurred just 40 days after receiving the Torah at Har Sinai, highlighting the severity of the betrayal.
  • Midrash Rabbah (Shemot 42:6) states that the people's eating and drinking led to frivolity (לְצַחֵק), which Rashi interprets as including immoral behavior and bloodshed.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 63a) derives from this verse that participating in idolatrous feasts is itself a form of idol worship. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 3:5) codifies that eating from such sacrifices violates a Torah prohibition, as it demonstrates affiliation with idolatry.

Moral Lesson

The Kli Yakar emphasizes how quickly spiritual highs can lead to moral downfall when discipline wavers. The juxtaposition of Matan Torah with this incident serves as a eternal warning about the dangers of physical indulgence leading to spiritual corruption.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 25:2 mean?
A: Numbers 25:2 describes how the Israelites were led astray by the Moabite women to participate in idolatrous worship. They were invited to sacrificial feasts of foreign gods, ate from their offerings, and bowed down to those gods—a grave sin against Hashem. Rashi explains that this was part of the scheme of Balak and Bilaam to weaken the Israelites spiritually.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish tradition?
A: This verse is important because it highlights the dangers of assimilation and idolatry. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 106a) teaches that the Moabites used immoral tactics to lead the Israelites astray. The incident led to a plague and the zealous act of Pinchas (Phinehas), showing how serious the Torah views loyalty to Hashem and the consequences of straying from His commandments.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Numbers 25:2 today?
A: The verse teaches us to be cautious of influences that may lead us away from Torah values. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim) warns against participating in non-Jewish rituals or customs that conflict with Jewish belief. Just as the Israelites were tempted by foreign practices, we must strengthen our commitment to mitzvot and avoid spiritual pitfalls.
Q: How does this verse connect to the story of Pinchas?
A: This verse sets the stage for Pinchas’s zealous act (Numbers 25:7-8). The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 20:23) explains that the people’s sin of idolatry and immorality angered Hashem, and Pinchas took bold action to stop it. His deed restored Divine favor and earned him the covenant of peace, showing the importance of standing up for Torah principles.