27

Not to worship idols in the manner they are worshiped

The Luchos - Ten Commandments
מִצְוָה עֲשֵׂה - Positive Commandment
מִצְוָה לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה - Negative Commandment
Idolatry – עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

We are forbidden from serving an idol even in a manner other than one of the four types of service which we have mentioned.

This mitzvah forbids worshiping idols through any act considered service to them, even if that act is not one of the four standard forms of worship. If a particular idol is customarily served in a unique way — whether by throwing a stone, offering food, or another practice — performing that act constitutes idolatry. The Torah commands complete separation from all forms of idol service.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 3:3–4): Any act that is the normal mode of worship for a specific idol is forbidden, even if it is not significant in Jewish practice.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 29): Rooted in safeguarding faith and removing all pathways to idolatry.
  • Talmud (Sanhedrin 60b): Clarifies that serving an idol in its particular manner is punishable even if the act appears trivial.
(Source: Chabad.org)
לֹֽא־תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה לָהֶ֖ם֮ וְלֹ֣א תׇעׇבְדֵ֑ם֒ כִּ֣י אָֽנֹכִ֞י יְהֹוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵ֣ל קַנָּ֔א פֹּ֠קֵ֠ד עֲוֺ֨ן אָבֹ֧ת עַל־בָּנִ֛ים עַל־שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים וְעַל־רִבֵּעִ֖ים לְשֹׂנְאָֽ֑י׃ - פָּרָשַׁת יִתְרוֹ
Exodus 20:5 - "You shall neither prostrate yourself before them nor worship them, for I, the L-rd, your G-d, am a zealous G-d, Who visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons, upon the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me,"

This Mitzvah's Fundamentals

Idolatry - עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה

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Mitzvot that prohibit worship of false gods and practices associated with idol worship.

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Faith - אֱמוּנָה

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Represents Emunah—the deep, inner trust in Hashem’s presence, oneness, and constant involvement in our lives. This badge symbolizes a heartfelt connection to G-d, rooted in belief even when we cannot see. It is the emotional and spiritual core of many mitzvot.

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Covenant - בְּרִית

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Tied to the eternal covenant between G‑d and the Jewish people, including signs like brit milah and Shabbat.

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