Safeguards Against Idolatry

Maimonides held that idol worshippers understood their images were only representations of a God, and that these were thus “worshiped in respect of it being an intermediary between ourselves and the god it represented". Still, it is forbidden under Jewish law to worship any created thing.

Additionally, the one God (HaShem) must be worshiped only as prescribed by The Law. The major difference between the biblical ceremonies and their idolatrous counterparts, therefore, is that the former are prescribed by The Law while the latter are not; to worship HaShem with rites not prescribed by the Law is itself an act of idolatry.

To avoid such actions, there therefore are several main principles one must follow:

1. Remember that turning to other sanctified or deified figures violates the covenantial pact made with HaShem to worship them and only them alone, and above all else, and to not profane their oneness as the Universal Creator.

Thus: Do not make idolatrous images of a sanctified or deified figure worshiped by another group.

Thus: Do not worship a sanctified or deified image of another group in the manner of its worshipers (or: participate in ″customary or foreign worship″).

Temples, altars, and statues were erected to the gods, and figures of oxen and of other animals are mentioned. The worship of high places was also a favorite form of polytheistic cult.

Prayer was offered to the Gods and the hands were stretched out to them; they were invoked by name, and their names were praised; knees were bent before them; incense was burned in their honor; they were invoked in the taking of oaths; sacrifices were immolated to them- the victims including even human beings. Human hair also served as a sacrifice.

The custom of worshiping stars and idols by throwing kisses to them is mentioned.

The exchange of clothes by which men put on women's clothes and women donned men's garments, was a custom of worship. Shaving the head or having writing burned into one's body as dedication to a God was also recognized.

Idolatry was also deeply rooted in the national character and the worship of Kings and other figures of power.

Thus: Do not worship any sanctified or deified image with acts explicitly reserved by The Law for the worship of HaShem within the Temple.

These include animal sacrifice, incense burning, offering libations, and the sprinkling of blood.

Thus: Do not prostrate yourself before a sanctified or deified image.

This includes bowing down before an image with at least the head or knees on the ground. Actions such as kissing, embracing, and honoring such an image are also forbidden, but are not in and of themselves considered idolatrous.

2. Do not make any such sanctified images of HaShem yourself- especially not for the purpose of directing one’s worship, even with the understanding of the image as representative and intermediary.

Thus: Remember that HaShem is neither male nor female and has no physical form. Attempting to represent HaShem in physical form, then, is to impose our views onto HaShem instead of coming to understand them as they are.

Thus: Remember there already exists an image of God within this world, anyways: The Human Being- which they themself have made clear was made in their image.

Thus: Do not worship HaShem in a manner not prescribed by The Law, then- and especially do not direct unsanctioned actions of worship towards such images of Hashem which you have been commanded not to make.

3. Do not encourage or incite others to do any of these things, either- least of all in the name of HaShem, or towards unsanctioned images of them.