Abraham and the Idols

Haran died in the presence of Terah, his father (Genesis 11:28). R. Ḥiyya taught: Terah was a maker of idols. He once went away to a certain place and placed Abraham in charge in his stead. A man came seeking to make a purchase. He [Abraham] said to him, “How old are you?” The man said, “Fifty.” He [Abraham] said to him, “Woe to that man who is fifty years old and worships [that which is] one day [old].” And the man became ashamed and went on his way.

Another time, a woman came, carrying a dish of fine flour. She said to him [Abraham], “This is for you. Offer it before them [i.e., the idols].” [Abraham] got up, took a club, and shattered them [the idols]. He then placed the club in the hand of the largest [idol] among them. When his father came back, he asked him, “What have you done to them?” [Abraham] answered him, “Why should this be concealed from you? A woman came in, carrying a dish of fine flour, and she said to me, ‘Offer it before them.’ One of [the idols] said, ‘I will eat first,’ and another said, ‘I will eat first.’ The largest [idol] among them then stood up and took the club and smashed them.” [His father] said to him, “Why are you playing with me? They have no awareness!” He [Abraham] said to [his father], “Do your ears not hear [what] your mouth [is saying]?”

[Terah then] carried him [Abraham] and handed him over to Nimrod. He [Nimrod] said to [Abraham], “Let us worship the fire.” He [Abraham] answered him, “Let us worship the water that puts out the fire?” Nimrod said to him, “Let us worship the water.” [Abraham] answered him, “Let us worship the clouds that carry the water [that puts out the fire]?” He [Nimrod] said to him, “Let us worship the clouds.” He [Abraham] said to him, “Let us worship the wind that moves the clouds?” He [Nimrod] said to him, “Let us worship the wind.” He [Abraham] said to him, “Let us worship human beings who withstand the winds?” He [Nimrod] said to him, “You are simply tossing about words; I worship nothing but the fire. Behold, I will throw you into it, and then let your God—the one you worship—come and save you from it.” Haran happened to be there, wavering. He said [to himself], “What should I do? If Abraham prevails, I will say, ‘I am on the side of Abraham.’ But if Nimrod prevails, I will say, ‘I am on the side of Nimrod.’”

As soon as Abraham descended into the fiery furnace and was saved, Haran was asked, “Whose side are you on?” He answered them, “I am on the side of Abraham.” They took him and threw him into the fire, and his insides burned up, and he went and died in the presence of Terah, his father. As the scripture states, Haran died in the presence of Terah, his father.

Translated byAaron Samuels.