Paganism was the way of the world in ancient times. Notice the totally different mindset compared to today’s times where worshiping G-d or Gods is a far second to making money, physical health, etc. One particular idol worshiping was pretty unique. It’s fascinating how the sages describe Ba’al Peor. We discussed in last year’s parshat Balak’s newsletter about how G-d is repulsed at whoever worships Ba’al Peor. What is so terrible about Ba’al Peor? Well, its a little funny how one worships it. He urinates and excretes on it. That sounds more like a lack of respect and disregard for that particular idol worship, doesn’t it ? This is precisely what the philosophy of Ba’al Peor is all about. Its a rebellious disregard for idol worship. So whats wrong with that? one might say. The world should believe in one G-d, right? Not so, worshiping Ba’al Peor means to cause confusion in the world, a total irresponsibility. There are no laws, not civil nor religious. Everybody’s free and anything can go; sounds like Woodstock. Nevertheless, G-d would rather have a paganistic society and have law and order in the land then to follow him as opposed to having a animistic free-for-all.
It’s funny, Ba’al Peor didn’t start that way. It evolved from something completely different. Many years before worshipers would be so focused on there paganistic G-d, they would develop such a fear that they would unconsciously urinate and excrete. The fear factor level was such, when they reached that level of an “accident”, then they fulfilled their worship requirement. Whomever is familiar with physiology knows fear and worry causes a need to relieve oneself..
So we see Ba’al Peor evolved from one philosophy to something strangely different. Pretty frustrating for the initial people who had a completely different intent. Although they’ve been dead for hundreds of years so it doesn’t matter one iota. Perhaps, one should be proud of Judaism. Although there have been minor trimmings over the years and those changes were inevitable and by design (rice on Pesach yes,no or whatever depending on your custom) the core of Torah and its laws are the same. If one thinks about that, its mind-boggling!!
Following these laws that were traditionally kept precisely like our ancestors did several thousand years ago sprouts a real good feeling. Although with modern technology it’s a lot easier for us, we’re doing the same Shabbat table; singing Shabbat songs as they did and being off key as they did. Lastly having a l’chaim as they did.
I guess this is one of the lessons we can learn from Ba’al Peor. Our religion is here to stay, Baruch Hashem.
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