Giving One's Seed to Molekh/2

From AlHaTorah.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Molekh

Exegetical Approaches

This topic is currently in progress

Child Sacrifice

The verse forbids burning one's children (or passing them through flames) for the Molekh.

"וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" – This opinion understands "וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" to be referring to one's children.
"לְהַעֲבִיר" – According to this approach, "לְהַעֲבִיר" means passing through fire, although it is unclear whether the child is being passed between two bonfires (Rashi), passed through the flames (possibility in Ramban), or actual burning (Ramban).1 Conversely, "להעביר" may be a metathesis with "להבעיר", in which case the children were presumably actually burnt.2
"מֹּלֶךְ" – According to most of the commentators taking this approach, "מֹּלֶךְ" is the name of specific idol.3 However, Targum Neofiti translates "מֹּלֶךְ" as a name for idolatry in general.4
Context – According to this approach, the prohibition against the Molekh is found in Vayikra 18 as one of the immoral actions done by the Egyptians and Canaanites.
Parallel Verses – According to this approach, Vayikra 18:21 is dealing with the same prohibition as Devarim 12:31 and 18:10. This could be proven from Melakhim II 23:10, "לְהַעֲבִיר אִישׁ אֶת בְּנוֹ וְאֶת בִּתּוֹ בָּאֵשׁ לַמֹּלֶךְ", which refers to both passing in fire and the Molekh as the same action.

General Idolatry

The verse forbids giving one's children to become priests for idolatry.

"וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" – This opinion understands "וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" to be referring to one's children.
"לְהַעֲבִיר"
"מֹּלֶךְ"
Context

Intermarriage

Sleeping with a Non-Jewish Woman

The verse forbids sleeping with a non-Jewish woman, which will result in non-Jewish children.

"וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" – This opinion understands "וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" to be referring to one's semen.5
"לְהַעֲבִיר" – This opinion understands "לְהַעֲבִיר" to mean "לעבר" (to make pregnant).6
"מֹּלֶךְ" – Targum Pseudo-Jonathan seems to understand "מֹּלֶךְ" to be a general term, referring to all idolatry.7
Context – According to this approach, it is clear why this verse is found in the middle of the list of sexual offenses in Vayikra 18.
Parallel Verses – The Sifre Devarim and R. Yishmael in Midrash Tannaim seem to understand "מַעֲבִיר בְּנוֹ וּבִתּוֹ בָּאֵשׁ" in Devarim 18:10 to also refer to intermarriage, although it is unclear what "בָּאֵשׁ" would mean.

Marrying one's Daughter to a Non-Jew

The verse forbids marrying one's daughter off to a non-Jewish man.

"וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" – This opinion understands "וּמִזַּרְעֲךָ" to be referring to one's children (and particularly one's daughters), as per the simple reading of the verse.
"לְהַעֲבִיר"
מולך
Context – According to this approach, it is clear why this verse is found in the middle of the list of sexual offenses in Vayikra 18.