RBIS January 24, 1999: Zoroaster

In the city where I live, immigrants from Iran and India have built a Zoroastrian temple in which they keep a perpetual flame burning. They have no idols and are strict monotheists. Is the Prophet Zoroaster menitioned in any ancient Jewish writings?

YEHOSHUA FRIEDMAN ANSWERS:

After looking at the Encyclopedia Hebraica article on Zarathustra (Zoroaster), there does not seem to be any direct reference to him in Jewish writings, but Isaiah 45:7 refers to Hashem as "Maker of peace and Creator of evil", apparently to preempt some similar form of dualism, and the Talmud (don't have the reference or references) refers obliquely to Babylonian/Persian interdictions of the lighting of fires on certain days, apparently a Zoroastrian rite.

In general, the Jewish perspective differs from Zoroaster in that Zoroaster postulates an independent existence for evil. The Evangelical Christian emphasis on Satan is a theological weakness deriving from remnants of dualism. St. Augustine's Confessions contains some good documentation on the interplay of Manichean sects in early Christianity.

Of course your Iranian friends are no doubt good people and communication with them about Bnai Noach is no doubt a good idea. It should be done with care and the advice of a knowledgeable person.

Shalom,

Yehoshua Friedman
Kochav HaShachar, Liberated Samaria