Moloch was historically affiliated with cultures throughout the
Middle East, including the Ammonite, Hebrew, Canaanite, Phoenician
and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant. In modern
English usage, "Moloch" can refer derivatively to any person or
thing which demands or requires costly sacrifices.
Like some other gods and demons found in the Bible, Moloch
appears as part of medieval demonology, as a Prince of Hell. This
Moloch finds particular pleasure in making mothers weep; he
specializes in stealing their children. According to some 16th
century demonologists, Moloch's power is stronger in December.
The 12th century rabbi Rashi, commenting on Jeremiah 7:31
stated:
"Tophet is Moloch, which was made of brass; and they heated him
from his lower parts; and his hands being stretched out, and made
hot, they put the child between his hands, and it was burnt; when
it vehemently cried out; but the priests beat a drum, that the
father might not hear the voice of his son, and his heart might not
be moved."
A rabbinical tradition attributed to the Yalkout of Rabbi
Simeon, says that the idol was hollow and was divided into seven
compartments, in one of which they put flour, in the second
turtle-doves, in the third a ewe, in the fourth a ram, in the fifth
a calf, in the sixth an ox, and in the seventh a child, which were
all burned together by heating the statue inside.
Disclaimer:
Do not approach this series lightly. If this were only a 500'
bushwhack, I would call it hellish. The roots will trip you, the
branches will shred you and poke your eyes, and the insects will
consume you. But it's not 500'. It's over 12 bloody miles! I highly
recommend you bring snake boots, lots of water, long pants, long
sleeve shirt, lots of water, good hat, pokey stick, lots of water,
spare everything, bug spray, lots of water, writing utensils, cell
phone, lots of water.
Did I mention bring lots of water?
You may find a laminated clue slip in this cache. If you do, you
might want to solve the riddle. This will help you locate the Gaia
puzzle cache nearby. Please leave clue slips in the caches you find
them in.
