Not to plant a tree in the Temple courtyard

Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

• Rambam (Avodat Kochavim 6:9) rules this prohibition prevents Israel from imitating the idolatrous Asherah. Talmud (Sanhedrin 7b) describes how idolaters set groves by altars, a practice Torah despised. Rashi (Deut. 16:21) emphasizes Hashem’s hatred of the custom. Sefer HaChinuch (211) explains this mitzvah uproots foreign worship from Israel’s midst.

Temple – בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ

• Ramban stresses the Temple must be free of foreign imagery, with no mixture of tree or stone symbols. Midrash Sifrei links this to Hashem’s command to centralize holiness only as He prescribed. Sefer HaChinuch adds that beauty is not reason enough; sanctity requires fidelity to Torah’s structure.

Mizbeach – מִזְבֵּחַ

• Rashi teaches that the mizbeach, Hashem’s chosen place, cannot be adorned by human inventions. Rambam codifies this as an absolute safeguard of altar sanctity. Midrash explains the mizbeach itself suffices; adding trees or groves desecrates its meaning.

Holiness – קְדֻשָּׁה

• Ramban (Lev. 19:2) explains holiness requires separation from pagan practice. Sefer HaChinuch teaches the prohibition ensures kedushah rests only on Hashem’s commanded forms. Midrash emphasizes that holiness is preserved by refusing even “beautiful” innovations that resemble foreign worship.

Faith – אֱמוּנָה

• Rambam says true emunah is expressed only through Hashem’s commanded avodah. Sefer HaChinuch emphasizes that planting a tree near the altar expresses misplaced faith in human beauty rather than Divine command. Rashi shows that Hashem Himself despises this, affirming Israel’s faith rests solely in His Torah.

Reverence – יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם

• Talmud (Sanhedrin 7b) emphasizes awe must not be directed to symbols borrowed from pagan shrines. Rambam writes that reverence is safeguarded when Israel avoids confusing Hashem’s service with theirs. Midrash highlights the danger of misplaced awe.

Core Beliefs – יְסוֹדוֹת הָאֱמוּנָה

• Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Negative Commandment 13) teaches this mitzvah guards Israel’s ikarei emunah by keeping worship forms pure. Ramban insists Torah blocks even indirect imitation of idolaters. Sefer HaChinuch says this law embodies fidelity to Torah foundations.

Bein Adam L’Makom – בֵּין אָדָם לְמָקוֹם

• Rambam codifies that this mitzvah expresses loyalty to Hashem by rejecting human-invented worship. Rashi explains that planting such a tree profanes Hashem’s altar. Ramban adds that closeness to Hashem means excluding foreign cultural forms entirely.