Sanhedrin 60: Blasphemy, Idol Worship and Punishments

Blasphemy is one of the few crimes punishable by death.  But what is blasphemy?  The rabbis suggest that blasphemy refers only to the four letters that spell G-d's name: yud hey vav hey.   We have many many names for G-d, some considered to be more holy than others.  However, only that one pronunciation is forbidden at all times.

The rabbis discuss how we are to respond when we hear someone utter that forbidden pronunciation. We are to tear our clothing and never repair the damage done.  This applies to a person witnessing this transgression on the street and to judges who hear witness testimony of such an event.  Interestingly, as part of their conversation, the rabbis note that we cannot rend clothing whenever we hear such an utterance, for our clothing would be torn all over.  

Because the Talmud is written by those who observe and those who respect observance, we can easily forget that the bulk of the Jewish community would transgress halachot regularly.  People are people. We crave rules and guidelines and laws.  When we are given those boundaries, we cross them.  Or we become obsessed with maintaining them.  It is tempting to think of our ancestors as better than us; more willing to believe and to observe.  But according to the Talmud, people were regularly blaspheming 2000 years ago.  

A new Mishna teaches that people are put to death for idolatry.  But which actions associated with idolatry are liable?  If one serves an idol, slaughters to offer to an idol, burns to serve an idol, pours libation on an idol or bows to an idol, s/he is liable.  If one claims that the idol is his G-d, s/he is also liable.  But hugging, kissing, cleaning, anointing, dressing, putting shoes on it, vowing or swearing in the name of an idol - these are not permitted, but they are not punishable by death.  

Excreting in front of an idol could be a form of idol worship, and so it is also not allowed.  The rabbis discuss a number of other actions that are omitted from the list of transgressions liable to the death penalty.  To the end of today's daf the rabbis find proof texts to justify their opinions regarding different punishments for different types of idol worship.