A halakhic discussion takes place when Rabbah meets Rav Hamnuna, who’s looking for his oxen: 2 mishnayot contradict, over what point a person who plans to worship idolatry is held accountable. Is the statement that one will go worship sufficiently close to worship? Also, a discussion about idolatry done out of love of another person (or fear), though that distinction is usually reserved for God. Or when one says – worship me! And what happens when the action doesn’t line up perfectly with the intention? The Gemara lists possible objects of worship with reminders not to worship those things, especially. And raises the question of worshiping idols with intent (as compared to doing so unintentonally). For example, if one is duped along the way, then is that intent at all? Or if there’s only partial worship, at what point is it considered “shogeg,” or less, for example (or in providing in libations, etc. as actions of idolatry).
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