Modern idolatry TB Pesakhim 104

 Since yesterday’s daf discussed the special havdala prayer recited when the Passover begins at the conclusion of the Shabbat, today’s daf TB Pesakhim 104 discusses the regular havdala prayer at the conclusion of Shabbat. Remembering that the wording of prayers were being decided during this time period, there is a range of possibilities under discussion. Since we are distinguishing the Shabbat from the weekday, how many distinctions need to be mentioned in the blessing? Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi said only one is necessary. "Rabbi Oshaya said: One who decreases the number of distinctions mentioned in havdala should not decrease their number to less than three, and one who increases their number should not increase them to more than seven.” (Sefaria.org translation) Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says that the distinctions need to be similar to the distinctions found throughout the entire Bible. An example of this would be “ who separate light from darkness” found in Genesis 1:4.¹

The Gemara describes one of the rabbis who was involved in the discussion about how many distinctions havdala needs. “Rabbi Menakhem bar Simai. And why did they call him the son of sacred ones? Because he would not look at the forms on coins, which were occasionally idolatrous symbols or some other prohibited image.” (Sefaria.org translation) Greek and Roman gods would appear on their coins coins as well as the emperors who were considered gods. Rabbi Menakhem bar Simai was so scrupulous about avoiding idolatry that he didn’t even look at the coins that were in his pocket.

When we think of idolatry we think of this week’s Torah portion Ki Tisa. Because Moses tarried on Mount Sinai, the Israelites forced Aaron to cast the Golden Calf and they worshiped it. An idol is a depiction of God. Even though we don’t worship idols in that sense, we have created a modern form of idolatry. Idolatry substitutes the holy, loving, God of goodness for another object of affection. Some people worship the almighty dollar. Some people “idolize” politicians, media stars, and athletes. Some people even worship themselves. Regardless of the “substitute” it will always be infinitely inferior to God.

1The following has become the standard Askenazi havdala prayer. “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the six working days. Blessed are You, O Lord, who distinguishes between the holy and the profane.”