Pisqa’ 14510H: 184; NJ2: 6. 1. “Do not plant for yourself an Asherah of any wood”11Heb:`eitz. In biblical Hebrew, `eitz identifies both a “tree” and its “wood.” (Dt.16:21). This teaches that whoever plants an Asherah anywhere, transgresses a proscription. And how do I know that one who plants any tree12Heb: ‘ilan, is a loan-word from Aramaic and is common in rabbinic Hebrew as the general designation for “tree.” I know of no instances where ‘ilan designates “wood.” In rabbinic Aramaic “wood” is generally signified by `a`a (Jastrow:99). on the Mount of the Abode transgresses a proscription? The Teaching states: “Of any wood, near the Altar of HASHEM your God” (Dt.16:21).
2. R. Eliezer b. Jacob says: How do I know that they may not build a [wooden] portico in the Courtyard [of the Abode]? The Teaching states: “Of any wood . . . near the Altar” (Dt.16:21). When He says: “Which you will make for yourself” (Dt.16:21)— this includes [planting an Asherah near] a cultic shrine [outside of Jerusalem].
3. “Do not plant for yourself an Asherah” (Dt.16:21). The Torah elsewhere teaches: “And burn their Asherahs in fire” (Dt.12:3)— the proscription of planting [an Asherah] is a logical deduction [from the command to burn any Asherah that has already been planted]. But how do I know that we may not maintain an Asherah [prior to burning it]? The Teaching states: “Do not plant for yourself” (Dt.16:21)— any type of maintenance [is proscribed].
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דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֲפִלּוּ בַּיִת, אֲפִלּוּ
4. Another word: Even a house [that sheltered an Asherah must be burned]; even a Festival Hut.13The last line of Finkletstein’s text is missing (F:200, l.11. On the basis of the Vatican ms, Hammer supplies “Festival Hut.” 145.4 is lacking in RH, TA and Pardo.
(דברים טז כא) לֹא תִטַּע לְךָ אֲשֵׁרָה כָּל עֵץ, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁכָּל הַנּוֹטֵעַ אֲשֵׁרָה עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה. וּמִנַּיִן לַנּוֹטֵעַ אִילָן בְּהַר הַבַּיִת שֶׁהוּא עוֹבֵר בְּלֹא תַעֲשֶׂה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כָּל עֵץ אֵצֶל מִזְבַּח ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
Pisqa’ 14510H: 184; NJ2: 6.
1. “Do not plant for yourself an Asherah of any wood”11Heb:`eitz. In biblical Hebrew, `eitz identifies both a “tree” and its “wood.” (Dt.16:21).
This teaches that whoever plants an Asherah anywhere,
transgresses a proscription.
And how do I know that
one who plants any tree12Heb: ‘ilan, is a loan-word from Aramaic and is common in rabbinic Hebrew as the general designation for “tree.” I know of no instances where ‘ilan designates “wood.” In rabbinic Aramaic “wood” is generally signified by `a`a (Jastrow:99). on the Mount of the Abode
transgresses a proscription?
The Teaching states:
“Of any wood, near the Altar of HASHEM your God” (Dt.16:21).
רַבִּי אֱלִיעֶזֶר בֶּן יַעֲקֹב אוֹמֵר: מִנַּיִן שֶׁאֵין עוֹשִׂים אַכְסַדְרָה בָּעֲזָרָה? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: כָּל עֵץ אֵצֶל מִזְבַּח ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ, כְּשֶׁהוּא אוֹמֵר: אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ – לְרַבּוֹת בָּמָה.
2. R. Eliezer b. Jacob says:
How do I know that
they may not build a [wooden] portico
in the Courtyard [of the Abode]?
The Teaching states:
“Of any wood . . . near the Altar” (Dt.16:21).
When He says:
“Which you will make for yourself” (Dt.16:21)—
this includes [planting an Asherah near] a cultic shrine
[outside of Jerusalem].
לֹא תִטַּע לְךָ אֲשֵׁרָה, אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה (דברים יב ג): ״וַאֲשֵׁרֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ״ – קַל וָחוֹמֶר שֶׁלֹּא יִטַּע! וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁלֹּא יְקַיֵּם? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: לֹא תִטַּע לְךָ – מִכָּל מָקוֹם.
3. “Do not plant for yourself an Asherah” (Dt.16:21).
The Torah elsewhere teaches:
“And burn their Asherahs in fire” (Dt.12:3)—
the proscription of planting [an Asherah]
is a logical deduction
[from the command to burn any Asherah
that has already been planted].
But how do I know that
we may not maintain an Asherah [prior to burning it]?
The Teaching states:
“Do not plant for yourself” (Dt.16:21)—
any type of maintenance [is proscribed].
דָּבָר אַחֵר: אֲפִלּוּ בַּיִת, אֲפִלּוּ
4. Another word:
Even a house
[that sheltered an Asherah must be burned];
even a Festival Hut.13The last line of Finkletstein’s text is missing (F:200, l.11. On the basis of the Vatican ms, Hammer supplies “Festival Hut.” 145.4 is lacking in RH, TA and Pardo.