Conservative Judaism/King Solomon

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Expert: - 3/21/2005


Question
If King Solomon was given the gift of unparalleled wisdom, then why did he directly go against God's will and worship other gods?

Answer
Dear Zach,

Thanks for writing.

For myself, King Solomon's wisdom was a hyperbole, a way of stating that he was blessed by God with the ability to rule very cogently.

On the other hand, by marrying so many foreign wives for purposes of alliances with surrounding countries, he was confronted with pagan religion sll sbout his home and life until he surrendered and sinned.

None of us is perfect and the lesson may be that we should try to avoid tempting situations rather than believe we can beat the temptation.

Best wishes

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

Expertise

Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience

I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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