God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry
God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein Mosaica Press / 398 PP SPECIAL GUEST POST Reviewed by Rabbi Naftali Kassorla The Torah world can once again rejoice, as one of its rising stars, Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein, the author of Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew has produced another impressive work in God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry . In this work, Rabbi Klein draws upon copious amounts of sources, and years of immersion in Torah Study, to present both the historical/sociological history of idol worship, the development of polytheistic cults from primeval monotheism, and the extent of their worship in ancient times. But most importantly, Rabbi Klein tackles an important issue that is riddled with much confusion: To what extent were the the Jews of the First Temple period and earlier, truly steeped in the practices of Avodah Zarah ? The plain reading of Tanach and the prophets’ exhort...