Commentary for Avodah Zarah 21:9
והא תניא שורפין על המלכים ולא מדרכי האמורי ואי חוקה היא אנן היכי שרפינן והכתיב (ויקרא יח, ג) ובחוקותיהם לא תלכו
But has it not been taught, The burning of articles at a king’s [funeral] is permitted and it is not “the way of the Amorites”? ow if it is an idolatrous practice how could such burning be allowed?... Is it not written, “And in their statutes you shall not walk” (Leviticus 18:3)?
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
According to the rabbis, Jews are allowed to burn things at a king’s funeral. It is not “the way of the Amorite” activities that are performed by idolaters and therefore are off limits to Jews. So how could the rabbis in the Mishnah hold that it is the “way of the Amorites”?
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