Summary of "Корпорация Яхве. Часть 2. Никакого Иерусалимского храма"

Корпорация Яхве. Часть 2. Никакого Иерусалимского храма

The video presents an in-depth lecture and discussion on the origins, nature, and historical context of Yahweh worship, challenging traditional monotheistic views and the centrality of the Jerusalem Temple. The speaker draws extensively on the research of Andrey Yuryevich Sklyarov, whose multi-volume works—Kingdom of Baal, Kingdom of Yahweh, and Syrian Crossroads of Civilization—provide the foundation for much of the analysis.

Key Points and Arguments

1. Yahweh as a Canaanite God and the Yahweh Corporation

Yahweh was originally one of many gods in the polytheistic Canaanite pantheon, serving as a national god for the Israelites but not an exclusive or transcendental deity initially.
The concept of a “Yahweh Corporation” is introduced as a religious monopoly built on three pillars:
- The uniqueness of Yahweh
- The unique place where sacrifices are accepted
- The exclusive priestly group authorized to perform these sacrifices
This monopoly and exclusivity evolved over time and were not present in the earliest biblical texts or during the times of Moses, David, and Solomon.

2. Altars and Sacrificial Practices

Contrary to later centralized worship in Jerusalem, the Torah initially permitted altars to be built from unhewn stones anywhere, made from earth, not polished or shaped stones.
Yahweh forbade the use of hewn stones or elaborate temples to preserve the ancient sacred sites and artifacts linked to older gods.
Sacrifices could be made anywhere, by anyone, and were distributed among a select group, indicating a less centralized cult than later Judaism.

3. Monotheism vs. Monolatry and Polytheism

The Torah and Old Testament texts reflect a complex religious landscape, mixing monotheistic, monolatrist (worship of one god without denying others), and polytheistic elements.
Other gods were acknowledged as existing but were forbidden to be worshiped by the Israelites; this was framed as spiritual adultery.
The evolution from polytheism to monotheism was gradual and involved political, social, and religious consolidation.

4. The Patriarchs and Their Altars

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob built altars in various locations in Canaan, not in a centralized temple, calling upon Yahweh’s name.
These altars often included stone pillars (matzevah) and groves (Asherah trees), indicating the presence of Yahweh’s consort and polytheistic practices.
The sacred places and names (Bethel, Bethlehem) retain meanings connected to the assembly of gods and ancient worship traditions.

5. Yahweh’s Family and Council of Gods

Yahweh is described as the head of a council of gods, similar to Baal or Marduk in other ancient Near Eastern mythologies.
His consort was Asherah (Astarte/Ishtar), often represented as a sacred tree or grove, whose worship was later suppressed.
The psalms and biblical texts depict Yahweh as a warrior god commanding heavenly armies, cherubim, and divine hosts.

6. The Ten Commandments and Religious Laws

The commandments emphasize exclusive worship of Yahweh and prohibition of idols (statues), reflecting opposition to polytheistic practices.
The commandment to honor the Sabbath and prohibitions on making images are linked to maintaining the monopoly and purity of Yahweh worship.
Punishments for disobedience, including multi-generational curses, are interpreted in light of modern scientific studies on radiation effects, drawing parallels to biblical descriptions of divine wrath.

7. Historical and Archaeological Context

The speaker references archaeological sites such as Baalbek, the tabernacle (tent of meeting), and ancient Canaanite temples, showing the continuity and transformation of religious practices.
The Jerusalem Temple is argued not to have been the original or sole center of Yahweh worship.
The lecture includes references to ancient Near Eastern politics, territorial conflicts, and the interaction of Israel with neighboring peoples and gods.

8. Mythological and Cultural References

Stories of biblical heroes like Samson (Shimshon) are analyzed in the context of Canaanite mythology and religious symbolism.
The interplay between gods such as El, Baal, and Yahweh is highlighted, showing a fluid pantheon rather than strict monotheism.
The lecture touches on the evolution of religious texts, translations, and the preservation or alteration of polytheistic elements within monotheistic frameworks.

9. Modern Implications and Further Research

The speaker encourages reading Sklyarov’s works for a comprehensive understanding and promotes a trip to Lebanon and Canaan for firsthand experience of ancient sites.
The lecture series aims to unravel contradictions in biblical texts and explore alternative historical interpretations.
Discussions include references to ancient technology, lost knowledge, and the influence of “fallen angels” or extraterrestrial theories, although these are secondary themes.

Conclusion

The lecture challenges the conventional monotheistic narrative of Yahweh as the sole, universal God worshiped exclusively in a Jerusalem temple. Instead, it presents Yahweh as originally a Canaanite deity within a polytheistic context, whose worship evolved into a religious monopoly with strict prohibitions and centralized cultic practices over time.

The Jerusalem Temple was not the original or only sacred site, and early Israelite religion was far more diverse and complex. The speaker uses archaeological, textual, and scientific data to support these claims and encourages further study of Andrey Yuryevich Sklyarov’s extensive research.

Presenters and Contributors

Main Speaker/Lecturer: Name not explicitly stated
Andrey Yuryevich Sklyarov: Author and researcher whose works form the basis of the lecture
Natalia: Editorial team member, mentioned in relation to publishing
Ilya Gerasim: Collaborator on related book projects

The lecture also references contributions and discussions from the online audience and chat participants.