53

To destroy idols and their accessories

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

Destroy idols and everything associated with them.

This mitzvah commands the Jewish people to eradicate idolatry from the Land of Israel by destroying idols, their altars, pillars, trees used for worship, and any object associated with them. The command reflects the Torah’s insistence that idolatry must not coexist alongside true worship of Hashem. By obliterating idolatry and its symbols, Israel affirms Hashem’s exclusive sovereignty.

Commentary & Classical Explanation:

  • Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 7:1): Explains that this mitzvah applies in Eretz Yisrael, where idolatry must be uprooted completely.
  • Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 436): The root is to distance us from temptation and ensure the land is sanctified solely for Hashem.
  • Talmud (Avodah Zarah 45b): Teaches that one must not only avoid idols but actively remove them and their name from existence.
(Source: Chabad.org)
אַבֵּ֣ד תְּ֠אַבְּד֠וּן אֶֽת־כׇּל־הַמְּקֹמ֞וֹת אֲשֶׁ֧ר עָֽבְדוּ־שָׁ֣ם הַגּוֹיִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם יֹרְשִׁ֥ים אֹתָ֖ם אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם עַל־הֶהָרִ֤ים הָֽרָמִים֙ וְעַל־הַגְּבָע֔וֹת וְתַ֖חַת כׇּל־עֵ֥ץ רַעֲנָֽן׃ - פָּרָשַׁת רְאֵה
Deuteronomy 12:2 - "You shall utterly destroy from all the places where the nations, that you shall possess, worshipped their gods, upon the lofty mountains and upon the hills, and under every lush tree."

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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Holiness - קְדֻשָּׁה

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Represents the concept of  spiritual intentionality, purity, and sanctity—set apart for a higher purpose.

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