For the source text click/tap here: Sanhedrin 61
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As we have seen on the previous dapim, avoda zara is a serious prohibition, one that could make one liable to receive a death penalty. The Gemara on today’s daf raises a question about someone who performs idol worship me-ahavah u’me-yirah – because of love or because of fear.
According to the Gemara, Abaye believes that such worship is considered to be ordinary worship for which a person would be held liable, while according to Rava he would not be held responsible.
Many approaches are offered to explain what worship me-ahavah u’me-yirah might mean.
We explore concepts of biblical idolatry and later iterations thereof in Kabbalah.