daf bit: Sanhedrin 62

[cellio]

The mishna says: he who engages in idol-worship is executed, if he served it, sacrificed to it, offered incense, made libations, prostrated himself, accepted it as a god, or said to it "you are my god". The g'mara raises the question of inadvertent transgression and discusses Shabbat. If one violates Shabbat but is unaware that it is Shabbat, or is unaware that his action is a violation, then he is not liable to death (though he still has to bring a sin-offering). So what about idolatry? The g'mara asks if it is even possible to commit idolatry inadvertently, arguing that if you thought you were in a synagogue worshipping God when you actually weren't you have no intent. According to the rabbis here, idolatry requires intent and does not occur at all without that intent, while a Shabbat violation occurs even if you didn't mean it. (60b mishna, 62b g'mara)

So the text here is saying that you can accidentally transgress Shabbat, in which case there is a lesser penalty than if you did it knowingly, but accidental idolatry is not possible -- either you did it and are liable to death or you didn't intend to and have no liability at all. It seems unlikely to me that this is the final word on the subject, given all the precautions we take to avoid accidental participation in practices that would be considered avodah zara (alien worship). Or is avodah zara in a different category than this?

Comments

[cellio]

Thanks for looking this up.

The complete text of the mishna (as translated by Soncino) is:

MISHNAH. HE WHO ENGAGES IN IDOL-WORSHIP [IS EXECUTED]. IT IS ALL ONE WHETHER HE SERVE IT, SACRIFICE, OFFER INCENSE, MAKE LIBATIONS, PROSTRATE HIMSELF, ACCEPT IT AS A GOD, OR SAY TO IT, ‘THOU ART MY GOD.’ BUT HE WHO EMBRACES, KISSES IT, SWEEPS OR SPRINKLES THE GROUND BEFORE IT, WASHES IT, ANOINTS IT, CLOTHES IT, OR PUTS ON ITS SHOES, HE TRANSGRESSES A NEGATIVE PRECEPT [BUT IS NOT EXECUTED]. HE WHO VOWS OR SWEARS [LIT. CONFIRMS A THING] BY ITS NAME, VIOLATES A NEGATIVE PRECEPT. HE WHO UNCOVERS HIMSELF BEFORE BAAL-PEOR [IS GUILTY, FOR] THIS IS THE MODE OF WORSHIPPING HIM. HE WHO CASTS A STONE ON MERCULIS THEREBY WORSHIPS IT.

The mishna calls out Baal-Peor and Merculis. This implies to me that treating other idols in that way wouldn't necessarily have the same results.

(Baal-Peor has some wacky practices, it appears.)

(OT: did you get my reply to your email?)

[zevabe.livejournal.com]

I think your inference here is correct. If you treat most idols in a disrespectful fashion, that is a good thing. However, some idols are worshipped in ways that are disrespectful to most idols.

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

(Re: OT - Yes, thanks. Been a bit swamped with post-Pesach de-prep but should be ready to do something with it next week.)

[cellio]

OT: No problem -- not pestering in any way; just wanted to confirm receipt.