Commentary for Avodah Zarah 33:8
(משלי ב, יט) כל באיה לא ישובון ולא ישיגו אורחות חיים וכי מאחר שלא שבו היכן ישיגו ה"ק ואם ישובו לא ישיגו אורחות חיים
Scripture says, “None that go to her return neither do they attain the paths of life” (Proverbs 2:19). But if they do not return, how could they attain [the paths of life]? This is what it means: Even if they do turn away from it they will not attain the paths of life.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The rabbis interpret Proverbs 2:19, whose simple meaning seems to refer to a prostitute or some sort of seductress, as referring to apostasy. According to this reading of the verse, when one abandon’s apostasy, one dies. It is not easy to understand why one should die when one performs teshuvah from apostasy. One answer is that separating from apostasy is so painful that it causes one to die.
This will open an extended passage on apostasy. As is almost always the case, there are conflicting sources. Below I will use the Hebrew term “minut” which is difficult to translate, instead of apostasy.
This will open an extended passage on apostasy. As is almost always the case, there are conflicting sources. Below I will use the Hebrew term “minut” which is difficult to translate, instead of apostasy.
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