Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 2/10/2009

Question
I am a "student" who privately studies Torah and am waiting to summon the
guts to go to a synagogue and talk about conversion. I even moved to New
York where i knew there was a large Jewish community because of this, and i
have a study problem which urgently needs an answer.  

Solomon makes predictions for the future in some proverbs, for example
"there will be a false prophet of destruction who destroys all those who
follow him,"  which heightens him to the level of a prophet. However, the Law
says if a Prophet tells people to follow other Gods, you must disregard
everything he says, and Solomon is known to have followed other Gods.
However, in Isaiah, Hashem My God says to not point the finger or bring forth
any malicious talk, which means i must withhold accusation as much as
possible until the matter is settled. The law also says to not detract or add a
single word from the Law, and the word of the Law is if the prophet says "Let
us follow other Gods." Which means, if he PREACHES any other Gods, and
tries to proseletize them. So this is my question: in the Tenach scripture, or
indeed, any scripture, is there any evidence that Solomon PREACHED these
other gods he followed, rather than just went after them? If he PREACHED
them, then I will have to disregard both Proverbs, Song of Songs and
Ecclesiastes regardless of what anyone says. I will probably not go to the
Synagogue for fear of being told I am being heretical. However, if there is no
evidence of proseletyzing, then he was merely VERY VERY close to the bone,
and didn't quite negate all of his teachings. So i was just wondering if, in
Tenakh or any scripture, it says anywhere that Solomon told OTHERS to follow
these Gods? Or if there's any other Jewish scripture which i haven't read that
brings forth the possibility of this? I hope not, but nonetheless, the Law is the
Law.

Thank you for your time, this is quite urgent, i need to know if i have to stop
following the instructions of Solomon, which i have been doing quite
zealously and to my own demerit if he is held guilty.

Thankyou for your time.

It would be a great loss to the Jewish community if he were held guilty.

Peter

Answer
Dear Peter,

Thanks for writing and I wish you success in your spiritual quest.

You may be unhappy with my answer, because in part I have to urge you not to delay getting to a teacher.

Judaism cannot be learned by books, formal study without the context that a teacher and a community provides.

No one in Judaism today would encourage you to follow Solomon per se and the questions you are raising require a discussion with a qualified ordained rabbi or very experienced teacher.

Please find one as soon as possible.

Here is an URL from my website that lists available Rabbis in communities around the world who would be willing to help you in your studies. Don't hesitate to call them.

http://www.jewishfreeware.org/downloads/Professional%20Resources/

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov