MORESHET SHAUL: “FATHERS FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S SINS”

Introductory Gemara – Miriam the daughter of Bilga, apostatized and married a Greek official… When the Greeks entered the Holy Temple, she kicked with her shoe on the altar, and said: “Lucas Lucas, how long will you use up the money of Israel and not stand up for them in their time of need?” When the Rabbis heard this, they sealed the ring and closed the window of the [kohen] group of Bilga [in the Temple]… Because of the daughter they penalized [the father]? Abaye said: Yes, as people say: A youngster’s speech in the marketplace is either from his father or his mother” (Sukka 56b).

The penalty on parents based on the daughter’s actions is surprising, as the gemara asks. The Torah indeed stresses: “Fathers will not be put to death due to sons” (Devarim 24:16). This is also very logical according to the Torah outlook of free choice and that every adult is fully responsible for his own actions. Why did the Rabbis hold the parents responsible for their daughter based on the assumption of poor education? Abaye’s explanation seems beside the point, as it refers to a child who is too young to understand and decide the matter himself, in which case the parents are responsible. How does that apply to a case where the daughter was an adult who acted on her own?

Notice that this woman apostatized and married a Greek official, and yet her father was penalized not for that but for her speech. The Rabbis knew the great test standing before a Jew at the time of enticing Greek dominance with its false sheen.  Luxuries and convenience are always enticing, and it requires self-discipline to conquer one’s inclination and not get drawn in. Judaism requires self-restraint, which is difficult. It is difficult to be a Jewish farmer, or to observe Shabbat properly, as it is for one deeply involved in commerce to set time for Torah study and be fully honest in business. It is difficult not to be drawn in by sports, theater, cards, or idle speech – activities that require less toil than learning a page of gemara and understanding the Rabbis’ “words and riddles.” For that reason, men fail, and “one out of a thousand I have found” (Kohelet 7:28). It requires great investment of effort until one can distinguish between the true path and a worthless one that presents itself as true.

Miriam bat Bilga was not the only one who was enticed to convert and marry a distinguished Greek, at this time of strong Greek inroads into Jewish society. However, she may have been unique in allowing herself to speak with such disdain about that which is holy in Israel. It is for this that her father’s group of kohanim were penalized. Even one who strays from the path, choosing what is easy and convenient, will be wary about expressing herself with disdain toward one who serves Hashem truthfully, bringing sacrifices with good will and dedication. Mainly people who sin respect the holy trepidation of a Shabbat observer toward every detail of its laws or have reverence for the Torah’s standard bearers, scholars and leaders. He appreciates one who cares for his friend’s every asset and gives with joy charity to the needy and Torah institutions, even if he does not follow their practices. He will be careful not to mock the sacred before the observer.

Miriam bat Bilga would not have done this if she had seen her father show affection for the holy, or felt his happiness to do mitzvot when he entered the Temple to serve. She would have then felt a guilty conscience when the Greeks entered the Temple and defiled everything that was sacred and pure in Israel for generations. If so, she could not have said what she did. Considering what she said, she must have observed him treating service as a nuisance or an act of rote, not treating it with the proper seriousness. He must have also disgraced it, as Rashi (ad loc.) comments. Degradation and mocking must have been the approach of her father’s house.

These ideas should be on our heart and be an “ointment for our eyes.”

Read more

Top of page

Print this page

Send to friend