Perhaps the flat earthers should study dafyomi TB Avodah Zarah 40b-41

With daf TB Avodah zarah 40b we begin the third chapter of our massekhet. The first two chapters delve deeply into all the rabbinic prohibitions creating social distance between Jews and pagans. We discussed the status of pagan owned wine, oil, and bread. The third chapter begins the discussion of actual idols. We are not permitted to own, benefit, or gift an idol. In fact the Torah commands us: “You shall consign the images of their gods to the fire; you shall not covet the silver and gold on them and keep it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared thereby; for that is abhorrent to your God. You must not bring an abhorrent thing into your house, or you will be proscribed like it; you must reject it as abominable and abhorrent, for it is proscribed.” (Deuteronomy 7:25-26) I have to admit that this kind of idolatry is no longer relevant for us.

To appreciate the discussions we have to differentiate between a tzelem (צֶלֶם) and avodah zarah. A tzelem is a statue whose origin and history is unknown. Maybe it was used for idolatrous purposes or maybe it wasn’t. Avodah zarah is an idol that is worshiped.

Rabbi Meir holds that one has to treat every  tzelem as avodah zarah. The rabbis disagree teaching  “Rabbis say: The only type of statue that is forbidden is any statue that has in its hand a staff, or a bird, or an orb, as these are indications that this statue is designated for idolatry. If the statue is holding a different item, it may be assumed that the statue was fashioned for ornamental purposes and not for worship.” (Sefaria.org translation)

Why does the statue holding in his hand a staff, a bird, or an orb indicate that it is avodah zarah? “The Gemara explains that each of these items symbolizes the statue’s supposed divinity, indicating its dominion over the world: A staff symbolizes dominion as the idol rules itself under the entire world, i.e., it rules the entire world, like one rules over an animal with a staff. A bird symbolizes dominion as the idol grasps itself under the entire world, i.e., it grasps the entire world, as one grasps a bird in his hand. An orb symbolizes dominion as the idol grasps itself under the entire world, i.e., it grasps the entire world, as one grasps a ball in his hand.” (TB Avodah Zarah 41, Sefaria.org translation)

Based on the statement “An orb symbolizes dominion as the idol grasps itself under the entire world, i.e., it grasps the entire world, as one grasps a ball in his hand,” we can see that our sages in the Talmud understood that the earth is round like a ball and not flat. Tosefot ד"ה כַּדּוּר  explicitly say that the earth is round like a ball and quote the Talmud Yerushalmi!

In the United States, recent polls suggest that around 10% of Americans believe the Earth is flat, with another 9% unsure. Some studies show this number could be as low as 2%. However, other polls from 2021 suggest up to 10% hold this belief. We know that the world is round. Perhaps the flat earthers should study dafyomi as well as pay more attention to scientific proof.