Idolatry and Food

Parasha:  Bolek (devastator, destroyer)
Torah: B’midbar 22:2 – 25:9

One of the major “gateways” for Idolatry is our tongues and the “tent” that houses it. The Scriptures warn us:

15  And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled. 16  Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve demon-idols and worship them, 17  lest Avinu’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which  Avinu is giving you. (De 11:15-17)

Notice the “full stomach” and the “deceived heart”.  Here is how this week’s incident went down.

1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people (men) began to commit harlotry with the women of Moav. 2  They invited the people to the sacrifices of their demon – idols, and the people ate and bowed down to their demon – idols. 3  So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of Avinu was aroused against Israel. (B’midbar 25:1-3)

So Israel was joined to Baal Peor.  The satiation of the lust for meat opened the door for the next step.. “Israel bowed down and worshipped the idol”.  Israel ate the flesh of an animal that was sacrificed to an idol and became “joined” to that idol. Israel detached themselves from Avinu and His Mahn to satisfy their lusting for meat. They “received” more than they expected.  Here is how it ended:

So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. 9  And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand. 

A Believer must be aware of everything that goes into and comes out of our mouths. Both functions, the “going in” and the “coming out”, are governed by the Torah.   

Don’t “be joined” to something that you don’t want to be joined to.