Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin to learn the practical halachos of how a person becomes liable for the terrible sin of avodah zarah, false worship. The Rambam teaches us the basic parameters of the prohibition, distinguishing between one who acts willingly, who is liable to kares or stoning, and one who acts inadvertently, who must bring a fixed sin offering. We will see how the Torah views the bizarre and repulsive ways the non-Jews devised to worship their idols, and how these specific practices define the legal liability of one who mimics them.
We will also learn a major principle in these halachos: the difference between the unique, bizarre service of a specific idol and the four universal services of the Beis HaMikdash. While a person is generally only liable for serving an idol in its own customary manner, there are four specific acts of worship—bowing, slaughtering, burning an offering, and pouring a libation—that make a person liable regardless of which idol he is serving, even if that is not its normal way of worship.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים בְּזָדוֹן וּבִשְׁגָגָהHalacha 1 · The Punishment for Serving False Gods Intentionally and Inadvertently
כָּלAnyoneהָעוֹבֵדwho servesכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבִּרְצוֹנוֹwillinglyבְּזָדוֹןintentionallyחַיָּבis liable forכָּרֵתkaresוְאִםand ifהָיוּthere wereשָׁםthereעֵדִיםwitnessesוְהַתְרָאָהand warningנִסְקָל.he is stonedוְאִםand ifעָבַדhe servedבִּשְׁגָגָהinadvertentlyמֵבִיאhe bringsקָרְבַּןa sacrifice ofחַטָּאתa sin offeringקְבוּעָה:fixed
This halacha outlines the different punishments for serving idols depending on whether the act was done willingly, with warning, or inadvertently.
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חִיּוּב מִיתָה בַּעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה כְּדַרְכָּהּHalacha 2 · Liability for Idolatry Only Through Its Specific Mode of Worship
עֲבוֹדוֹתservicesהַרְבֵּהmanyקָבְעוּestablishedעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְכָלfor everyצֶלֶםimageוְצֶלֶםand imageוּלְכָלand for everyצוּרָהformוְצוּרָהand formוַעֲבוֹדַתand the service ofזֶהthis oneאֵינָהּis notכַּעֲבוֹדַתlike the service ofזֶהthis oneכְּגוֹןfor exampleפְּעוֹרPeorשֶׁעֲבוֹדָתוֹwhose service isשֶׁפּוֹעֵרthat uncoversאָדָםa personעַצְמוֹhimselfלוֹto itוּמַרְקוּלִיסand Marculisשֶׁעֲבוֹדָתוֹwhose service isשֶׁיִּזְרֹקthat he throwsלוֹto itאֲבָנִיםstonesאוֹorיְסַקֵּלhe clearsמִלְּפָנָיוfrom before itאֲבָנִיםstonesוְהַרְבֵּהand manyעֲבוֹדוֹתservicesכְּגוֹןlikeאֵלּוּtheseתִּקְּנוּthey institutedלִשְׁאָרfor the rest ofצְלָמִים.the imagesלְפִיכָךְthereforeהַפּוֹעֵרone who uncoversעַצְמוֹhimselfלְמַרְקוּלִיסto Marculisאוֹorשֶׁזָּרַקwho threwאֶבֶןa stoneלִפְעוֹרto Peorפָּטוּרis exemptעַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲבֹדhe servesאוֹתוֹitדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיב12ל30"אֵיכָהhowיַעַבְדוּdid serveהַגּוֹיִםthe nationsהָאֵלֶּהtheseאֶת—אֱלֹהֵיהֶםtheir godsוְאֶעֱשֶׂהand I will doכֵּןsoגַּםalsoאָנִי".Iוּמִפְּנֵיand because ofזֶהthisהָעִנְיָןmatterצְרִיכִיןare requiredבֵּיתthe house ofדִּיןlawלֵידַעto knowדַּרְכֵיthe ways ofהָעֲבוֹדוֹת,the servicesשֶׁאֵיןfor we do notסוֹקְלִיןstoneעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּדְעוּthey knowשֶׁזּוֹthat thisהִיאisדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹ:its service
This halacha establishes that one is only liable for capital punishment if they worship an idol in its specific, customary manner, requiring the Beis Din to be knowledgeable in various pagan rites.
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חִיּוּב עַל אַרְבַּע עֲבוֹדוֹת הַמְּיֻחָדוֹת לַשֵּׁםHalacha 3 · Liability for the Four Services Unique to Hashem Even When Not the Customary Worship
וְאַזְהָרָהAnd the warningשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדוֹתservicesאֵלּוּtheseוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶןof themהוּאisמַהwhatשֶּׁכָּתוּבis writtenשמותShemosכ20ה5"וְלֹא"and do notתָעָבְדֵם".serve them"בַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבִּשְׁאָרregarding otherעֲבוֹדוֹתservicesחוּץexceptמִמִּשְׁתַּחֲוְהfrom bowingוְזוֹבֵחַand slaughteringוּמַקְטִירand burning incenseוּמְנַסֵּךְ.and pouring libationsאֲבָלbutהָעוֹבֵדone who servesבְּאַחַתwith oneמֵעֲבוֹדוֹתof servicesאֵלּוּtheseלְאֶחָדto oneמִכָּלof allמִינֵיtypes ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsחַיָּבis liableוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵיןthat is notדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceבְּכָךְ.in this mannerכֵּיצַד.How soהֲרֵיbeholdשֶׁנִּסֵּךְone who poured libationsלִפְעוֹרto Peorאוֹorשֶׁזָּבַחwho slaughteredלְמַרְקוּלִיסto Markulisחַיָּבis liableשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכב22יט19"זֹבֵחַ"He who slaughtersלָאֱלֹהִיםto the godsיָחֳרָםshall be destroyedבִּלְתִּיexceptלַה'to Hashemלְבַדּוֹ".alone"זְבִיחָהslaughteringבִּכְלַלin the general category ofעֲבוֹדָהserviceהָיְתָהwasוְלָמָּהand whyיָצָאתdid it go outלוֹמַרto sayלְךָto youמַהjust asזְּבִיחָהslaughteringמְיֻחֶדֶתis uniqueשֶׁעוֹבְדִיןthat they serveבָּהּwith itלַשֵּׁםto the Nameוְחַיָּבand is liableהַזּוֹבֵחַthe one who slaughtersלְאֵלto a godאַחֵרotherסְקִילָהstoningעָלֶיהָfor itבֵּיןwhetherהָיְתָהit wasדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceבִּזְבִיחָהwith slaughteringאוֹorאֵינָהּit is notבִּזְבִיחָה.with slaughteringאַףsoכָּלeveryעֲבוֹדָהserviceשֶׁהִיאthat isמְיֻחֶדֶתuniqueלַשֵּׁםto the Nameאִםifעָבַדhe servedבָּהּwith itלְאֵלto a godאַחֵרotherבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceבְּכָךְin this mannerבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁאֵינָהּthat it is notבְּכָךְin this mannerחַיָּבhe is liableעָלֶיהָ.for itלְכָךְfor thisנֶאֱמַרit is saidשמותShemosלד34יד14"לֹא"do notתִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהbow downלְאֵלto a godאַחֵר"other"לְחַיֵּבto obligateעַלforהַהִשְׁתַּחֲוָיָהthe bowingאֲפִלּוּeven ifאֵיןit is notדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits serviceבְּכָךְ.in this mannerוְהוּאand itהַדִּיןis the lawלִמְקַטֵּרfor one who burns incenseוּמְנַסֵּךְ.and pours libationsוְזוֹרֵקand sprinklingוּמְנַסֵּךְand pouring libationsאֶחָדoneהוּא:it is
This halacha teaches that performing any of the four primary Temple services—bowing, slaughtering, burning incense, or pouring libations—to an idol makes one liable, even if that is not the standard way that specific idol is worshipped.
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דִּין הַמְכַבֵּד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה בְּדֶרֶךְ בִּזָּיוֹן וְהַמְקַבֵּלָהּ עָלָיו בֶּאֱלוֹהַּHalacha 4 · Worshiping an Idol Through Disgraceful Acts and Accepting an Idol as a Deity
סָפַתsmearedלָהּto itצוֹאָהfecesאוֹorשֶׁנִּסֵּךְwho poured a libationלָהּto itעֲבִיטa chamber potשֶׁלofמֵיwater ofרַגְלַיִםfeetחַיָּב.is liableשָׁחַטone slaughteredלָהּto itחָגָבa locustפָּטוּרis exemptאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהwasעֲבוֹדָתָהּits worshipבְּכָךְ.with thisוְכֵןand likewiseאִםifשָׁחַטone slaughteredלָהּto itבְּהֵמָהan animalמְחֻסֶּרֶתlackingאֵיבָרa limbפָּטוּרis exemptאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיְתָהwasדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתָהּits worshipבְּכָךְ.with thisעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁעוֹבְדִיןthat they worshipאוֹתָהּitבְּמַקֵּל.with a staffשָׁבַרone brokeמַקֵּלa staffבְּפָנֶיהָbefore itחַיָּבis liableוְנֶאֱסֶרֶת.and it is forbiddenזָרַקone threwמַקֵּלa staffבְּפָנֶיהָbefore itחַיָּבis liableוְאֵינָהּbut is notנֶאֱסֶרֶת.forbiddenשֶׁאֵיןbecause notזְרִיקַתthrowing ofהַמַּקֵּלthe staffכְּעֵיןis likeזְרִיקַתsprinkling ofהַדָּםthe bloodשֶׁהֲרֵיfor beholdהַמַּקֵּלthe staffכְּמוֹasשֵׁהוּאit isוְהַדָּםand the bloodמִתְפַּזֵּר.scattersהַמְקַבֵּלone who acceptsעָלָיוupon himselfאֶחָדoneמִכָּלfrom allמִינֵיtypes ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבֵּאלוֹהַּas a godחַיָּבis liableסְקִילָה.stoningוַאֲפִלּוּand evenהִגְבִּיהַּif he liftedלְבֵנָהa brickוְאָמַרand saidלָהּto itאֵלִיmy godאַתָּהyou areוְכֵןand likewiseכָּלanyכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבְּדִבּוּרto speechזֶהthisחַיָּב.is liableוַאֲפִלּוּand evenחָזַרif he retractedבּוֹ·בְּתוֹךְwithinכְּדֵיthe time ofדִּבּוּרspeechוְאָמַרand saidאֵיןis notזֶהthisאֵלִיmy godאֵיןis notחֲזָרָתוֹhis retractionכְּלוּםanythingאֶלָּאbutנִסְקָל:he is stoned
This halacha teaches that performing acts of disgrace to an idol can still incur liability, and that accepting any object as a god is a capital offense that cannot be immediately retracted.
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הָעוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים דֶּרֶךְ בִּזָּיוֹןHalacha 5 · Serving an Idol in a Derisive Manner When That is Its Way of Worship
הָעוֹבֵדOne who servesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsכְּדַרְכָּהּaccording to its wayוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifעָשָׂהhe didדֶּרֶךְby way ofבִּזָּיוֹןdisgraceחַיָּב.he is liableכֵּיצַד.How soהַפּוֹעֵרone who exposesעַצְמוֹhimselfלִפְעוֹרto Peorכְּדֵיin orderלְבַזּוֹתוֹto disgrace itאוֹorזָרַקthrewאֶבֶןa stoneלְמַרְקוּלִיסto Marculisכְּדֵיin orderלְבַזּוֹתוֹto disgrace itהוֹאִילsinceוַעֲבוֹדָתוֹand its worshipבְּכָךְis with thisחַיָּב.he is liableוּמֵבִיאand bringsקָרְבָּןa sacrificeעַלforשִׁגְגָתוֹ:his inadvertent transgression
This halacha teaches that even if one intends to disgrace an idol, if that act of disgrace is its prescribed form of worship, he is liable.
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הָעוֹבֵד מֵאַהֲבָה וּמִיִּרְאָה וְדִבְרֵי כָּבוֹד לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 6 · Serving an Idol Out of Love or Fear and Acts of Deference to an Idol
הָעוֹבֵדOne who servesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמֵאַהֲבָהout of loveכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁחָשַׁקthat he desiredבְּצוּרָהan imageזוֹthisמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמְלַאכְתָּהּits craftsmanshipשֶׁהָיְתָהthat wasנָאָהbeautifulבְּיוֹתֵר.exceedinglyאוֹorשֶׁעֲבָדָהּthat he served itמִיִּרְאָתוֹout of his fearלָהּof itשֶׁמָּאlestתָּרֵעַit do harmלוֹto himכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁהֵןtheyמְדַמִּיםimagineעוֹבְדֶיהָits worshipersשֶׁהִיאthat itמֵיטִיבָהdoes goodוּמְרֵעָה.and does harmאִםifקִבְּלָהּhe accepted itעָלָיוupon himselfבֵּאלוֹהַּas a godחַיָּבhe is liable toסְקִילָהstoningוְאִםbut ifעֲבָדָהּhe served itדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתָהּits serviceאוֹorבְּאַחַתin oneמֵאַרְבַּעof fourעֲבוֹדוֹתservicesמֵאַהֲבָהout of loveאוֹorמִיִּרְאָהout of fearפָּטוּר.he is exemptהַמְגַפֵּףOne who embracesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהַמְנַשֵּׁקand one who kissesלָהּitוְהַמְכַבֵּדand one who sweepsוְהַמְרַבֵּץand one who sprinkles waterלְפָנֶיהָbefore itוְהַמַּרְחִיץand one who washesלָהּitוְהַסָּךְand one who anointsוְהַמַּלְבִּישׁand one who dressesוְהַמַּנְעִילand one who puts shoes onוְכָלand allכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבְּדִבְרֵיto matters ofכָּבוֹדhonorהָאֵלּוּtheseעוֹבֵרtransgressesבְּלֹאa negativeתַּעֲשֶׂהcommandmentשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidוְלֹאand do notתָעָבְדֵם,serve themוּדְבָרִיםand mattersאֵלּוּtheseבִּכְלַלin the category ofעֲבוֹדָהserviceהֵן.they areוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughכֵןsoאֵינוֹhe does notלוֹקֶהreceive lashesעַלforאַחַתoneמֵהֶןof themלְפִיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָןthey are notבְּפֵרוּשׁ.explicitlyוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהwasדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתָהּits serviceבְּאֶחָדwith oneמִכָּלof allהַדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהָאֵלּוּtheseוַעֲשָׂהוּand he did itלְעָבְדָהּto serve itחַיָּב:he is liable
This halacha delineates the liability for serving an idol out of personal affection or fear, and the status of non-sacrificial acts of honor toward an idol.
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אִסּוּר כְּפִיפָה לִפְנֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים מִפְּנֵי מַרְאִית הָעַיִןHalacha 7 · Prohibition of Bending Down Before an Idol Due to Appearances
יָשַׁבSatלוֹto himקוֹץa splinterבְּרַגְלוֹin his footלִפְנֵיbeforeעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלֹאnotיָשֹׁחַhe shall bend downוְיִטְּלֶנּוּand remove itמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכְּמִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהlike one bowingלָהּ.to itנִתְפַּזְּרוּscatteredלוֹto himמָעוֹתmoneyבְּפָנֶיהָin front of itלֹאnotיָשֹׁחַhe shall bend downוְיִטְּלֵםand take themמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכְּמִשְׁתַּחֲוֶהlike one bowingלָהּto itאֶלָּאunlessיֵשֵׁבhe shall sitוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְsoיִטּל:he shall take
One may not bend down to remove a splinter or collect scattered money in front of an idol because it creates the appearance of bowing to it.
הל׳ ח
אִסּוּר שְׁתִיָּה מִפַּרְצוּפוֹת הַמְקַלְּחוֹת מַיִםHalacha 8 · Prohibition of Drinking from Statues Spouting Water Before an Idol
פַּרְצוּפוֹתStatuesהַמְקַלְּחוֹתthat spoutמַיִםwaterבִּפְנֵיbeforeעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלֹאnotיַנִּיחַshould he placeפִּיוhis mouthעַלuponפִּיהֶםtheir mouthוְיִשְׁתֶּהand drinkמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכִּמְנַשֵּׁקlike kissingלַעֲבוֹדַתthe worship ofכּוֹכָבִים:stars
This halacha prohibits drinking directly from the mouth of a water-spouting statue in front of an idol because it creates the appearance of kissing the idol.
הל׳ ט
הָאִסּוּר לַעֲשׂוֹת עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים לְעַצְמוֹ וּלְאַחֵרִיםHalacha 9 · The Prohibition of Making an Idol for Oneself or for Others
הָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notעֲשָׂאָהּhe made itבְּיָדוֹwith his handוְלֹאand notעֲבָדָהּhe worshiped itלוֹקֶהis lashedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20ד4"לֹא"Do notתַעֲשֶׂהmakeלְךָfor yourselfפֶסֶלa carved imageוְכָלor anyתְּמוּנָה".likeness"וְכֵןand likewiseהָעוֹשֶׂהone who makesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבְּיָדוֹwith his handלַאֲחֵרִיםfor othersאֲפִלּוּevenעֲשָׂאָהּhe made itלְעוֹבֵדfor a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלוֹקֶהis lashedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidויקראVayikraיט19ד4"וֵאלֹהֵי"and gods ofמַסֵּכָהmolten metalלֹאdo notתַעֲשׂוּmakeלָכֶם".for yourselves"לְפִיכָךְthereforeהָעוֹשֶׂהone who makesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבְּיָדוֹwith his handלְעַצְמוֹfor himselfלוֹקֶהis lashedשְׁתַּיִם:twice
This halacha details the separate prohibitions and lashes incurred for commissioning an idol, making an idol for others, and making an idol with one's own hands for oneself.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת צוּרַת הָאָדָם בּוֹלֶטֶת לְנוֹיHalacha 10 · The Prohibition of Making a Protruding Human Image for Decoration
אָסוּרIt is forbiddenלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeצוּרוֹתimagesלְנוֹיfor decorationוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֵינָהּthat it is notעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20כ20"לֹא"Do notתַעֲשׂוּןmakeאִתִּי"with Me"כְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayצוּרוֹתimagesשֶׁלofכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldשֶׁאֵינָםwhich are notאֶלָּאexceptלְנוֹיfor decorationכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִטְּעוּwill errבָּהֶןwith themהַטּוֹעִיםthose who errוִידַמּוּand imagineשֶׁהֵםthat they areלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְאֵיןand there is noאִסּוּרprohibitionלָצוּרto formלְנוֹיfor decorationאֶלָּאexceptצוּרַתthe form ofהָאָדָםthe humanבִּלְבַד.aloneלְפִיכָךְthereforeאֵיןwe do notמְצַיְּרִיםformלֹאnotבְּעֵץin woodוְלֹאand notבְּסִידin plasterוְלֹאand notבְּאֶבֶןin stoneצוּרַתthe form ofהָאָדָם.the humanוְהוּאand thisשֶׁתִּהְיֶהis when it isהַצּוּרָהthe imageבּוֹלֶטֶתprotrudingכְּגוֹןfor exampleהַצִּיּוּרthe drawingוְהַכִּיּוּרand the carvingשֶׁבַּטְּרַקְלִיןthat are in the hallוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themוְאִםand ifצָרone formedלוֹקֵה.he receives lashesאֲבָלbutאִםifהָיִתָהwasהַצּוּרָהthe imageמֻשְׁקַעַתsunkenאוֹorצוּרָהan imageשֶׁלofסַמָּנִיןcolorsכְּגוֹןfor exampleהַצּוּרוֹתthe imagesשֵׁעַלthat are onגַּבֵּיtop ofהַלּוּחוֹתthe tabletsוִהַטַּבְלִיּוֹתand the boardsאוֹorצוּרוֹתimagesשֶׁרוֹקְמִיןthat they embroiderבָּאָרִיגin the weavingהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרוֹת:are permitted
The Rambam explains that the Torah forbids making three-dimensional human forms even for decorative purposes, while flat or sunken images remain permitted.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר עֲשִׂיַּת צוּרוֹת אָדָם וְגַרְמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִםHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Fashioning Images of Man and Heavenly Bodies
טַבַּעַתA ringשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasעָלֶיהָupon itחוֹתָםa sealשֶׁהוּאwhich isצוּרַתthe form ofאָדָםa manאִםifהָיְתָהwasהַצּוּרָהthe formבּוֹלֶטֶתprotrudingאָסוּרit is forbiddenלְהַנִּיחָהּto wear itוּמֻתָּרbut it is permittedלַחְתֹּםto sealבָּהּ.with itוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהwasהַצּוּרָהthe formשׁוֹקַעַתsunkenמֻתָּרit is permittedלְהַנִּיחָהּto wear itוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלַחְתֹּםto sealבָּהּwith itמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהַנָּחָתָםtheir impressionתַּעֲשֶׂהwill makeבּוֹin itהַצּוּרָהthe formבּוֹלֶטֶת.protrudingוְכֵןand likewiseאָסוּרit is forbiddenלָצוּרto fashionדְּמוּתthe likeness ofחַמָּהthe sunוּלְבָנָהand the moonכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמַזָּלוֹתconstellationsוּמַלְאָכִיםand angelsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשמותShemosכ20כ20"לֹאDo notתַעֲשׂוּןmakeאִתִּי"with MeגמראGemaraראשRoshהשנהHashanahכד24בb"לֹאDo notתַעֲשׂוּןmakeכִּדְמוּתlike the likeness ofשְׁמָשַׁיMy servantsהַמְשַׁמְּשִׁיןwho serveלְפָנַיbefore Meבַּמָּרוֹם"on highוַאֲפִלּוּand evenעַלonהַלּוּחַ.the tabletצוּרוֹתforms ofהַבְּהֵמוֹתthe beastsוּשְׁאָרand otherנֶפֶשׁlivingחַיָּהcreaturesחוּץexceptמִןforהָאָדָםmanוְצוּרוֹתand forms ofהָאִילָנוֹתthe treesוּדְשָׁאִיםand grassesוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themמֻתָּרit is permittedלָצוּרto fashionאוֹתָםthemוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהָיְתָהwasהַצּוּרָהthe formבּוֹלֶטֶת:protruding
This halacha delineates which forms and images are forbidden to be fashioned or worn, distinguishing between protruding and sunken seals, and between human or celestial forms and other living creatures.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by establishing the punishments for serving false gods, whether done willingly or inadvertently. The Rambam explains that because gentiles established unique and often bizarre services for each idol—such as defecating before Pe'or or throwing stones at Marculis—a person is generally only liable if he worships the idol in its traditionally accepted manner, which requires the Beis Din to be knowledgeable in these pagan practices. However, the Torah singles out four specific services that are modeled after the avodah in the Beis HaMikdash—slaughtering, bowing, burning an offering, and pouring a libation (including sprinkling blood)—ruling that performing any of these four acts to any idol brings immediate liability, even if it is not the customary mode of worship for that particular deity.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear talmid, look at the incredible depth of what the Rambam is teaching us here. The Torah tells us that if a person worships an idol in its specific way, even if that way is completely bizarre, like throwing stones or doing something dirty and degrading, he is fully liable. Why? Because that is how that specific thing is served. But then the Torah adds that there are four special services, like bowing down or bringing an offering, that make a person liable no matter what, because these are the ultimate expressions of surrender and devotion that belong only to Hashem.
What is the deep avodah for us here? The yetzer hara is very clever. He doesn't come to a frum Yid and say, "Go worship an idol." Instead, he tries to get us to bow down and surrender our minds, our hearts, and our precious time to the modern "idols" of our generation, our phones, our careers, or the pursuit of honor. We might think, "I'm not really bound to these things, I'm just using them!" But the sugya teaches us that surrender is surrender. When you bow your head and give your entire focus to something other than Hashem, you are giving away a piece of your neshama's devotion to a foreign power.
We also see how careful we must be with our actions. The halachah says that if a coin falls in front of an idol, you cannot bend down to pick it up because it looks like you are bowing to it. A Yid must live with such a high level of yiras Shamayim that even the appearance of compromise is completely unacceptable. We must be pure, inside and out, ensuring that every single bend of our knee and every thought of our heart is directed "l'Hashem levado", to Hashem alone.
Today, notice where you direct your focus and devotion. When you feel the urge to immediately bow your head and surrender your attention to a distraction or a screen, pause for ten seconds, lift your eyes upward, and consciously declare that your mind and heart belong only to Hashem.