Mitzvah #2

Do not believe in any other G‑d

(Exodus 20:3)

Category:

Negative

Definition:

The commandment to not entertain the thought that there is another G‑d whether it be a physical object, an idea, nature, something supernatural, or anything else. This is what is commonly referred to as Idol Worship.

Reason:

Transgression of this Mitzvah undermines the whole Torah.

Who/When/Where?

·        Must be kept by men and women

·        At all times and under any circumstance

·        At every moment of the day and night and at every turn in life.

·        Someone who does not keep it excludes himself from the Jewish nation.

How would I transgress it?

û  Acceptance of another god by way of attributing power to something else other than G‑d. Eg. Thinking of gravity as what pulls things downwards rather than attributing it to G‑d pulling objects towards the Earth’s core with a force we call gravity.

û  Doing an act of service to an idol, physical or otherwise. This includes the particular service practiced by believers of a particular idol or any of the 4 general types of service: Animal sacrifice, burning objects, pouring wine and bowing down.

Details:

û  Idol worship is forbidden whether done from love- it’s good looking, the worship is appealing, etc.- or if done out of fear- fear that the idol will harm you

û  The idol itself must be destroyed.

û  We may not derive pleasure from anything associated with the idol.

û  There are many more details discussed in the Talmudic tractate Avodah Zara which deals entirely with this category of Mitzvot.

Consequences:

In the times of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem the consequences of transgressing this Mitzvah were:

û  If done intentionally, without witnesses and warning- Premature Death (by G‑d)

û  If done intentionally, with witnesses and warning- Death by Stoning (a later Mitzvah)

û  If done accidentally- Bring a Chatat offering (a later Mitzvah)

Chassidic Perspective:

Idol worship means to choose a creation over the Creator. On a more refined level this refers to a desire for the sensation of spirituality.

There is spirituality that comes along with every Mitzvah, but it is secondary to the primary objective. The ultimate goal of our soul in this world is to “grasp” G‑d Himself through fulfilling G‑d’s will by doing Mitzvot. Doing a Mitzvah for spiritual benefits, or any other reason, is putting the secondary ahead of the primary- the same basic idea as idolatry.

This does not mean that one should not find meaning in doing Mitzvot but, rather, that one must remember the main focus- this is G‑d’s will.