וַהֲסִרֹתִ֛י אֶת־שְׁמ֥וֹת הַבְּעָלִ֖ים מִפִּ֑יהָ וְלֹֽא־יִזָּכְר֥וּ ע֖וֹד בִּשְׁמָֽם׃
At aalisin Ko sa kanyang bibig ang mga pangalan ng mga Baal, at hindi na sila babanggitin pa sa kanilang pangalan.
Shemot Rabbah
Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “Moses commanded us the Torah” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Rabbi Simlai expounded: Six hundred and thirteen mitzvot were given to Israel through Moses, as that is the numerical value of Torah.12Tav is four hundred, vav is six, resh is two hundred, and heh is five, for a total of six hundred and eleven, as the midrash is about to note. If you say it is only six hundred and eleven, and where are the other two; the Rabbis say: “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2) and, “You shall have no [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) they heard from the mouth of the Almighty, and Moses told them six hundred and eleven, as it is stated: “Moses commanded us the Torah, a heritage…” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Do not read “a heritage [morasha],” but an inheritance [yerusha]; it is an eternal inheritance for Israel. This is analogous to the son of kings who was taken captive overseas when he was young. Even after several years, he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors. So too, a Torah scholar who leaves the Torah and engages in other matters, even after several years, if he seeks to return he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors.
Another matter: “Heritage” – do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]. Just as a groom, as long as he has not married his betrothed he is a frequent visitor to his father-in-law’s house; once he marries her, her father comes to her. So too, until the Torah was given to Israel, “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Once the Torah was given, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
Another matter: Do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]; this teaches that the Torah is betrothed to Israel, as it is stated: “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:21). From where is it derived that it is like a married woman for the idolaters?13Since the Torah is compared to a woman who is betrothed to Israel, if other nations study it they are compared to one who commits adultery with a married woman. From where is it derived that they are punished as adulterers? As it is stated: “Can a man stoke fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If a man walks on hot coals, will his feet not be scalded? So is one who consorts with another’s wife” (Proverbs 6:27–29).14The verse compares one who commits adultery to one who touches fire. Since Torah is compared to fire (see Jeremiah 23:29), the comparison indicates that non-Jews who engage in Torah study are considered as though they commit adultery (Midrash HaMevo’ar).
Another matter: “Heritage” – do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]. Just as a groom, as long as he has not married his betrothed he is a frequent visitor to his father-in-law’s house; once he marries her, her father comes to her. So too, until the Torah was given to Israel, “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Once the Torah was given, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
Another matter: Do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]; this teaches that the Torah is betrothed to Israel, as it is stated: “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:21). From where is it derived that it is like a married woman for the idolaters?13Since the Torah is compared to a woman who is betrothed to Israel, if other nations study it they are compared to one who commits adultery with a married woman. From where is it derived that they are punished as adulterers? As it is stated: “Can a man stoke fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If a man walks on hot coals, will his feet not be scalded? So is one who consorts with another’s wife” (Proverbs 6:27–29).14The verse compares one who commits adultery to one who touches fire. Since Torah is compared to fire (see Jeremiah 23:29), the comparison indicates that non-Jews who engage in Torah study are considered as though they commit adultery (Midrash HaMevo’ar).
Sifrei Devarim
The congregation of Israel is destined to say before the Holy One Blessed be He: L-rd of the universe, (there is no hope for me, for) my witnesses (for the prosecution) remain (and are testifying against me), viz. (Devarim 4:26, 30:19) "I call to bear witness against you this day the heavens and the earth." He will respond: I will remove them, viz. (Isaiah 65:17) "For, behold, I am creating new heavens and a new earth." Israel will then say: L-rd of the universe, I see places where I went astray and acted shamefully, viz. (Jeremiah 2:23) "See your way in the valley, know what you have done, etc.", and He will respond: I will remove them, viz. (Isaiah 40:4) "Every valley will be raised, etc." Israel will then say: L-rd of the universe, but my name remains! And He will respond: "I will remove it," viz. (Ibid. 62:2) "And you will be called by a new name." Israel: But L-rd of the universe, Your name is linked with that of the ba'alim. He: I will remove it, viz. (Hoshea 2:19) "And I will remove the names of ba'alim from her mouth." Israel: Still, those of my household use them. He (Ibid.): "They will not be mentioned again by their name." Afterwards Israel is destined to say: But You have already written (Jeremiah 3:1) "If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, can he return to her again?" He: Did I not write "a man"? And have I not already told you (Hoshea 11:9) "for I am G-d, and not a man!" And have I divorced you, house of Israel? Is it not already written (Isaiah 50:1) "Where is your mother's bill of divorce by which I sent her away, or to which of My creditors have I sold you!"