Hilchos Avodas Kochavim Chapter 5: The Laws of the Enticer, the False Prophet, and Speech Relating to Idolatry
Six Core Mitzvot Highlighted in This Chapter (from Deuteronomy 13:2–12)
This Chapter yields six key prohibitions concerning a mesit:
- Not to entice a single individual to idolatry
- Not to love the mesit
- Not to lessen one’s hatred for him
- Not to save his life
- Not to argue in his defense
- Not to withhold evidence leading to his conviction
Halachah 1 — The דין of a Mesit (Private Enticer)
A person who entices even one Jew to worship idols is executed by stoning, even if neither the enticer nor the enticed actually worshiped—so long as he instructed him to do so. This applies whether the enticer is a prophet or not, and whether he enticed one or many individuals.
Halachah 2 — Mesit vs. Madiach; A Prophet Who Leads Many
One who entices the majority of a city is called a madiach.
If a prophet leads a city astray alone, he is stoned, but the city is not judged as an apostate city (that requires two instigators).
A mesit is liable whether he speaks in the singular (“I will go worship—follow me”) or plural (“Let us go worship…”).
If two people were enticed, they may serve as witnesses against him.
Halachah 3 — No Warning Required; Entrapment Is Permitted
A mesit does not require prior warning.
If only one person was enticed, he should lure the enticer to repeat the enticement in front of two witnesses.
If the enticer refuses, it is a mitzvah to set a trap—a unique exception (this is not done for other sins).
If the enticer retracts or stays silent after being challenged, he is not executed; if he persists, he is tried and stoned.
Halachah 4 — The Obligations of the Person Enticed (Musat)
It is a mitzvah for the musat to initiate the execution process (“your hand first”).
The musat is forbidden to:
- love the enticer,
- rescue him,
- show compassion,
- argue in his favor,
- or conceal evidence.
This section explicitly anchors the six prohibitions derived from the Torah’s wording.
Halachah 5 — Enticing to Worship Oneself vs. Another Deity
If someone says “worship me”:
- He is stoned only if people actually worship him.
- If they merely agree but do not worship, he is not stoned.
If he entices them to worship another person or another deity:
- Once they accept and agree (“we will go worship”), both the enticer and those enticed are stoned—even if worship did not yet occur.
Halachah 6 — Prophesying in the Name of Idols
A “prophet” who says an idol or star commanded a message—even if the message is correct—is executed by strangulation if warned.
The prohibition is tied to the Torah’s ban on mentioning names of other gods.
Halachah 7 — No Debating False Prophets; No Testing; No Doubting
One may not debate a prophet of idolatry or ask for signs.
Even contemplating his wonders with “maybe it’s true” violates the command not to listen to him.
Likewise, a false prophet who speaks in God’s name something God did not command is executed by strangulation, even if he does not alter mitzvot.
Halachah 8 — Categories of False Prophecy
A false prophet includes:
- one who claims prophecy without having received it, and
- one who repeats another prophet’s message but claims it was revealed to him personally.
Both are executed by strangulation.
Halachah 9 — Do Not Fear Executing a False Prophet
Anyone who refrains from executing a false prophet due to his apparent “spiritual stature” violates “do not fear him.”
This includes withholding testimony or being intimidated by his words.
The trial of a false prophet is conducted only by the Sanhedrin of 71.
Halachah 10 — Swearing in the Name of Idols
Making an oath or vow in the name of an idol is punished by lashes.
This includes doing so voluntarily or at a gentile’s request.
It is forbidden to have a gentile swear by his deity and forbidden to mention idol names in a manner tied to oaths.
Halachah 11 — Mentioning Idol Names and Indirect Promotion
One may not say, “Wait for me by that idol,” or similar phrases.
Names of idols that appear in Scripture may be mentioned (e.g., those already recorded in Tanach).
It is forbidden to cause others to swear by idols.
However, lashes apply only to the person who personally swears/vows in an idol’s name.
