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The Talmud is very complicated, not every statement is a law, sometimes it is a commentary or the opinion of a certain Rabbi, sometimes a stipulation or refutation, however the quotes below should give you a good idea about Talmudic reasoning on certain issues.
The Talmud in Sanhedrin 64a makes legal permissions for child sacrifice via a legal technicality. In order for a Jew to incur punishment for child sacrifice to another god (Molech), they must formally deliver the child to a Molech priests for sacrifice AND pass the child through the fire themselves; doing one but not the other frees the Jew from sin. Some Rabbis state that to sacrifice a child to another god other than Molech also frees the Jew from sin.
JEWS MAY SACRIFICE CHILDREN TO MOLECH ON A TECHNICALITY
MISHNAH. HE WHO GIVES OF HIS SEED TO MOLECH INCURS NO PUNISHMENT UNLESS HE DELIVERS IT TO MOLECH AND CAUSES IT TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE. IF HE GAVE IT TO MOLECH BUT DID NOT CAUSE IT TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, OR THE REVERSE, HE INCURS NO PENALTY, UNLESS HE DOES BOTH.
GEMARA. The Mishnah teaches idolatry and giving to Molech. [21] R. Abin said: Our Mishnah is in accordance with the view that Molech worship is not idolatry. For it has been taught, [if one causes his seed to pass through the fire,] whether to Molech or to any other idol he is liable [to death]. R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon said: If to Molech, he is liable; if to another idol, he is not. Abaye said: R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon and R. Hanina b. Antigonus said the one and same thing. R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon, that which has just been stated. R. Hanina b. Antigonus — as it has been taught: R. Hanina b. Antigonus said: Why did the Torah employ the word Molech? To teach that the same law applies to whatever they proclaimed as their king, even a pebble or a splinter. Rabina said: The difference between them is in respect of a temporary Molech.R. Jannai said: Punishment is not incurred unless one delivers his seed to the acolytes of Molech, for it is said, And thou shalt not give of thy seed to pass through the fire to Molech.[2] – 1961 Sonciono Bablyonian Talmuds, Sanhedrin 64a – 64b
FOOTNOTE 21: As two separate offences, proving that giving one’s seed to Molech is not idolatry. The differences is, that if one sacrificed to Molech, or caused his son to pass through the fire to some other deity, he is not punished.
FOOTNOTE 2: Lev. XVI I, 21. This proves that the offence consists of two parts; (i) formal delivery to the priests, and (ii) causing the seed to pass through the fire.
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