Shimon ben Lakish (Reish Lakish) deduced from the proximity of the discussions of appointment of judges in and the Canaanite idolatrous practice of the Asherah in that appointing an incompetent judge is as though planting an idolatrous tree. Rav Ashi said that such an appointment made in a place where there were scholars is as though planting the idolatrous tree beside the Altar, for concludes "beside the altar of the Lord your God." Similarly, Rav Ashi interpreted the words of , "You shall not make with Me gods of silver or gods of gold," to refers to judges appointed because of silver or gold.