Commentary for Avodah Zarah 103:14
ואידך ההוא מיבעי ליה לכדר"ל דאמר ר"ל כל המעמיד דיין שאינו הגון כאילו נוטע אשרה בישראל שנאמר (דברים טז, יח) שופטים ושוטרים תתן לך בכל שעריך וסמיך ליה לא תטע לך אשרה כל עץ
And what does the other [i.e., R. Ishmael, make of this verse]? He requires it in accordance with the teaching of R. Shimon b. Lakish, for R. Shimon b. Lakish said: Whoever appoints an unworthy judge is as though he plants an asherah in Israel, as it is stated, “Judges and officers you shall establish for yourselves in all your gates,” and near to this [is stated], “You shall not plant for yourself an asherah of any kind of tree” (Deuteronomy 16:18)
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Yishmael would use this verse as did R. Shimon b. Lakish, who based his midrash on the juxtaposition of the verses in Deuteronomy 16. Appointing an unworthy judge is like planting an idolatrous tree. Appointing such a judge in a place where there are sages is like planting such a tree next to the altar itself.
We can see here that some later sages seem to understand idolatry as synonymous with corruption and lawlessness. This is an understanding of what is wrong with idolatry that may have resonated more with sages who lived in a world where idolatry had lost some of its muster. It certainly appealed very strongly to post-Talmudic sages.
We can see here that some later sages seem to understand idolatry as synonymous with corruption and lawlessness. This is an understanding of what is wrong with idolatry that may have resonated more with sages who lived in a world where idolatry had lost some of its muster. It certainly appealed very strongly to post-Talmudic sages.
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