Avodah Zarah 54 – Why God Did Not Destroy Idols

If idol worshippers abandoned their idol and it occurred in a time of peace, the idol is permitted, for leaving the idol of their own free will is a clear sign that they nullified it. If, however, they abandoned it during a time of war, it remains prohibited, as they may have left it due to confusion.

Philosophers asked the Jewish Sages in Rome, "If God is not favorably disposed toward an idol, why does He not simply get rid of it?" The Sages answered, "If people worshipped something that the world does not need, God would indeed get rid of it. But behold, they worship the sun, the moon, the stars – should God destroy the world because of fools?"

The philosophers then said, "If so, let Him destroy every idolatrous object that is not necessary for the world." The Sages answered, "Then an argument could be made that we are encouraging the worshippers of the sun, moon, etc., for these worshippers will say that theirs are the true deities, for they were not destroyed while other forms of idolatry have."

Art: Moonlight by Winslow Homer