The Worship of the Calf by the Jews between the Torah and the Holy Qur’an:A Comparative Analytical and Critical Study

Abstract

This study examines the impact of pagan elements on the monotheistic belief of the Jews, as the beginning of polytheism among them appeared in the worship of the calf. It also clarifies the historical stages through which the Jews passed in terms of the recurrence of polytheism, which eventually led to the emergence of the doctrine of incarnation (ḥulūl) in the modern era.

The study further presents a comparative analysis of the worship of the calf among the Jews in both the Torah and the Holy Qur’an, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. The research follows a philological, analytical, critical, and comparative methodology.

The study concludes with several findings, the most important of which are that the Jewish religion was influenced by natural and pagan religions, and this is clearly reflected in the worship of the calf by the Children of Israel. Despite the repeated calls of the prophets for them to worship Allah alone and abandon polytheism, some groups of the Children of Israel remained committed to monotheism and were persecuted by other Jews.

The study also emphasizes that one of the consequences of the Jews’ falling into polytheism was the emergence of the doctrine of incarnation in the modern era. It further clarifies the similarities and differences between the worship of the calf in the Torah and the Holy Qur’an