Direct your spirituality to the Creator
What Does This Mean?
The prohibition of idolatry, together with its positive aspect—faith in God—forms the foundation of the Noahide Code. This commandment rests upon the responsibility of every person before the One True God, regardless of prevailing social norms or personal preferences. The essence of this commandment is to know that the One God is the supreme authority and the absolute source for all people, and that any other being—real or imagined—to which a person directs service or worship as an independent power becomes an idol for that individual.
From the Preface of Rabbi Immanuel Schochet to the section on the prohibition of idolatry, The Divine Code, Part II:
The prohibition of idolatry includes any assumption that there exist autonomous beings or forces that are not entirely dependent upon God and His Providence. This can be understood through a simple example: when driving a nail, it may appear that the hammer is the active force. In truth, it is not the hammer that acts, but the hand that holds it and the energy within that hand. So too, every detail—both in the physical universe and in the spiritual realms—always and entirely depends upon God and His will.
It is forbidden to think that the planets or constellations determine the events that befall people or shape human destiny. The prediction of the future is likewise prohibited, as it stems from ancient idolatrous practices. It is forbidden to treat natural or incidental occurrences (such as a bird appearing at the window, the casting of dice, or a card drawn from a deck) as signs guiding a person in how to act. Participation in any form of sorcery is forbidden (as is the belief that one can thereby influence future events), as is the summoning of spirits (in séances and the like). Black magic and other forms of divination fall into the same prohibited category. All such practices express a belief in independently acting forces, separate from the constant and all-encompassing Divine Providence that governs all existence.
The weaknesses of humanity are self-interest, indulgence in desires, and the pursuit of pleasure—an egocentric perception of the world. The powerful urge to control, direct, and manipulate the unknown future, to circumvent the system established by God, is highly tempting for many. In practice, however, this reflects a deficiency of faith in God and undermines true belief in Him—the sole Creator who sustains all existence and alone determines all that occurs within it. Thus, idolatry constitutes a rejection of pure monotheism, implying either polytheism or, at the very least, a dual reality. Even if a person chooses to believe in only one idol, he has effectively defined two deities for himself—the idol and himself, who appointed it.
The Noahide Code, given by God at Mount Sinai, rescues a person from the snares of idolatry, directs him onto the true path of truth, and helps him live with the faith that every human being is created “in the image of God.”
Biblical Sources
The Torah (Bereishit 2:16) states: “And God (Elokim) commanded the man, saying…” The word Elokim, in its singular form, is one of the Divine Names belonging to the One God. However, the same word, in its non-sacred, plural sense, is also used to denote physical or conceptual idols (other “gods”), as in the verse: “You shall have no other gods (elokim) before Me” (Shemot 20:3). Thus, the verse in Genesis teaches that only the Lord God, who addresses humanity with this command, is to be served and worshipped—and not any idol.
The Holy Torah is filled with God’s declarations to His prophets expressing His abhorrence of all forms of idolatry, and His desire that all people repent of having served idols and accept Him as God.
Certain Details and Principles
- The obligation to know and believe in the One God.
- The obligation of a person to obey God and His commandments.
- The obligation of a person to pray to God (at least in times of need).
- The prohibition of serving idols—whether instead of God or alongside Him.
- The prohibition of making, possessing, or selling an idol.
- The prohibition of swearing in the name of an idol.
- The prohibition of following the customs of idol worshippers. Divination, soothsaying, sorcery, and black magic are included in this prohibition.
