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Date: Sun, 7 Feb 1999 18:46:34 -0500 (EST)
From: Russell Hendel <  rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu>
Subject: Re: The first Jew

In Torah Forum Vol 4 Number 59 Rabbi Teitz states:
<  <  But if Sheym also knew that the rest of the world was wrong, he only did
nothing about it, then he too fulfilled Rambam's list, and should be
considered the first.  Rambam mentions nothing about changing other
people's minds, only a realization that everyone else is wrong.>  >

This is not true! I cite verbatim the Rambam as seen by the Rav (Idolatry
1:3) ....And when Abraham was young he spent much time speculating ...until
HE KNEW (a) there is one G-d (b) He moves the spheres © He created
everything (d) there is no one besides HIM. And HE KNEW (e) that the whole
world erred and (f) it was the use of idolatrous symbols that caused them
to err and forget about G-d. He was 40. Once he KNEW this he started g)
answering the masses h) debating them i) telling them that their way of
serving idols is false j) broke their idols k) told them only to serve G-d
l) offered sacrifices to G-d so that everyone should know who is the true
G-d to serve.

Rabbi Eliyahu Teitz's statement: <  <  Rambam mentions nothing about changing
other peoples minds only a realization that everyone else is wrong>  >   is
simply not correct and refuted by items g,h,i,j,k,l.

I reiterate that Shaym and MalkiTzedeck (and Yishmael) believed in
Monotheism but did not like Abraham actively fight for it.

Russell Jay Hendel; Phd ASA RHendel @ mcs drexel edu
Moderator, Rashi is Simple; Http://www.shamash.org/Rashi/Index.Htm.