No, Jews do not worship Baal. Judaism strictly prohibits the worship of Baal or any other deities besides God (Yahweh), as outlined in the Torah.

Historical Context

Baal was a Canaanite storm god whose worship posed a recurring temptation for ancient Israelites after entering Canaan around 1473 B.C.E., often blending with local pagan practices amid cycles of faithfulness and apostasy. Prophets like Elijah condemned it fiercely, leading to reforms that purged Baal altars and idols. By the time of the Second Temple period and rabbinic Judaism, such practices were long rejected as idolatry (avodah zarah).

Biblical Warnings

The Hebrew Bible repeatedly warns against Baal worship, associating it with depraved rites like child sacrifice and fertility cults, which God explicitly forbids in commandments like "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). Instances of Israelite backsliding, such as under King Ahab and Jezebel, ended in divine judgment and restoration of monotheism.

Modern Misconceptions

Claims linking Judaism to Baal worship often stem from fringe theories, historical Hellenization debates, or antisemitic tropes alleging "hidden paganism," but mainstream Jewish practice centers solely on ethical monotheism via prayer, Torah study, and mitzvot. No credible rabbinic or denominational source endorses Baal. These fringe views lack archaeological or textual support in normative Judaism.

"The name Baal was given up by the Israelites as a thing of shame."

Key Differences

Aspect| Baal Worship| Jewish Worship
---|---|---
Deity| Canaanite storm/fertility god 1| One God (YHWH), formless 4
Practices| Idols, sacrifices, rituals 5| Prayer, no images 7
Status Today| Extinct| Core of Judaism

TL;DR : Baal worship was a biblical sin Jews overcame; modern Judaism rejects it outright. Information from public sources like encyclopedias and biblical analyses.