ירמיהו, פרק ז׳, פסוק י״ח

A vivid, everyday domestic scene transforms into a public display of spiritual rebellion. Entire households gather outdoors, uniting across generations to participate in idol worship. This cooperative family event is not driven by a belief in the actual benefit of their actions. Rather, the participants know their worship is useless, and their sole motivation is to provoke God and arouse His anger [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Every family member plays a specific role in this coordinated effort. The sons are tasked with gathering the wood, while the fathers kindle the fire. Meanwhile, the women roll and knead the dough, a mixture identified by its eventual fermented and risen state [מצודת ציון].

The primary goal of these preparations is to bake special cakes to present as offerings. Commentators offer different explanations for the unique title given to these baked goods. One approach suggests the name reflects their shape, indicating that the cakes were baked in molds designed to resemble a star or the idol itself [רש״י, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective connects the name to the concept of intention, explaining that the women directed their hearts and worked with meticulous care to prepare these offerings [מצודת ציון, רד״ק].

These carefully crafted offerings are dedicated to a celestial entity, though its exact nature is debated. One view understands the target of this worship to be the sun, the largest star, which is perceived as ruling over and guiding all other celestial bodies [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. Expanding on this, the idolatry was divided into male and female domains, with a male deity worshipped alongside this celestial queen [מלבי״ם]. An alternative explanation suggests the terminology refers broadly to the work of heaven, meaning the collective host of stars or the angels tasked with guiding the earthly realm [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

To complete their rituals, the families pour liquid libations to these foreign gods. From the gathering of the wood to the final pouring of the liquids, every step of the process is executed with the clear, deliberate intention to anger God [מצודת דוד].