Daily Rambam (1) Hilchos Avodas Kochavim – Chapter 1: The Origins of Idolatry (Wednesday, 22nd Adar)

Avodas Kochavim – Introduction

The Laws of Avoda Zara and Their Statutes

These laws comprise fifty‑one commandments, including two positive commandments and forty‑nine negative commandments, as detailed below:

The Commandments

1. Not to show interest in, inquire into, or investigate the worship of false gods.
2. Not to stray after the thoughts of one’s heart or after the sights perceived by one’s eyes.
3. Not to curse God.
4. Not to worship false gods through the forms of service by which they are customarily worshipped.
5. Not to bow down to false gods.
6. Not to make an idol for oneself.
7. Not to make an idol even for others.
8. Not to make images, even for decorative purposes.
9. Not to entice or persuade others to worship false gods.
10. To burn an apostate city.
11. Never to rebuild such a city.
12. Not to derive any benefit from its property.
13. Not to entice a single individual to worship false gods.
14. Not to love a mesit (one who entices others to idolatry).
15. Not to diminish one’s hatred for him.
16. Not to save his life.
17. Not to advance arguments in his defense.
18. Not to withhold information that would lead to his conviction.
19. Not to prophesy in the name of false gods.
20. Not to listen to one who prophesies in the name of false gods.
21. Not to deliver false prophecy, even in the name of God.
22. Not to fear executing a false prophet.
23. Not to swear in the name of a false god.
24. Not to perform the practices associated with an ov.
25. Not to perform the practices associated with a yid’oni.
26. Not to offer children to Molech.
27. Not to erect a pillar for purposes of worship.
28. Not to prostrate oneself upon hewn stone for worship.
29. Not to plant an asherah.
30. To destroy false gods and all their objects of worship.
31. Not to derive benefit from false gods or from their objects of worship.
32. Not to derive benefit from ornaments that have adorned false gods.
33. Not to establish a covenant with nations who worship false gods.
34. Not to show them favor.
35. Not to allow them to dwell in our land.
36. Not to follow their customs or manner of dress.
37. Not to practice soothsaying.
38. Not to practice black magic.
39. Not to practice divination.
40. Not to cast spells.
41. Not to seek information from the dead.
42. Not to consult an ov.
43. Not to consult a yid’oni.
44. Not to practice sorcery.
45. Not to shave the temples of the head.
46. Not to shave the corners of the beard.
47. That a man shall not wear a woman’s apparel.
48. That a woman shall not wear a man’s apparel or armaments.
49. Not to tattoo the body.
50. Not to make cuts in one’s flesh.
51. Not to tear out hair in mourning for the dead.

Hilchos Avodas Kochavim – Chapter 1: The Origins of Idolatry and the

Halachah 1 — The Origin of Idolatry

In the era of Enosh, humanity made a grave philosophical error.
People reasoned that since God created the stars and celestial bodies to govern the world and honored them as His servants, it was proper to honor and worship them as intermediaries—believing this to be God’s will.

They began building temples, offering sacrifices, praising the stars, and bowing to them, not denying God’s existence but mistakenly thinking this honored Him.
This misunderstanding formed the foundation of idolatry: knowing God exists, yet worshiping created beings instead of Him.

Halachah 2 — The Spread of False Prophecy and Image Worship

Over time, false prophets arose, claiming God commanded people to worship specific stars, angels, or celestial forces.
They instructed the public to build temples and images, inventing forms of worship and rules of conduct.

These practices spread worldwide.
Eventually, God’s true name was forgotten, and people—especially women, children, and the unlearned—knew only idols of wood and stone.
Even many “wise” people believed the stars themselves were divine.
Only a few individuals (such as Noach, Shem, and Ever) retained true knowledge of God—until Abraham was born.

Halachah 3 — Abraham’s Discovery of God and the Restoration of Truth

From childhood, Abraham questioned how the universe could function without a single Creator.
Without a teacher and surrounded by idolaters, he independently discovered the truth: one God created and governs everything.

At age forty, he began openly opposing idolatry—breaking idols, debating the people, and teaching that only God deserves worship.
After surviving persecution, he spread this belief publicly, gathering thousands who embraced monotheism.

Abraham taught Isaac, Isaac taught Jacob, and Jacob established Levi as the guardian of Torah knowledge.
Though Israel later absorbed idolatrous practices in Egypt (except for Levi), God redeemed them through Moses, gave them the Torah, and taught them the laws against idolatry—restoring true service of God.