Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 3: Liability for Idolatrous Worship and Its Forms of Service
Halachah 1 — Punishment for Idolatrous Worship
One who worships false gods intentionally and defiantly is liable to karet; if witnesses warned him, he is stoned to death.
If the worship was unintentional, he must bring a fixed sin offering.
Halachah 2 — Serving Idols According to Their Custom
Each idol has its own unique form of worship.
A person is liable only if he serves an idol according to its accepted mode of service.
Therefore, courts must be familiar with idolatrous practices to determine liability.
Halachah 3 — The Four Universal Acts of Idolatrous Service
Aside from customary worship, four acts always incur liability, even if they are not the idol’s usual service:
- bowing,
- slaughtering,
- offering a burnt offering,
- pouring a libation.
These acts are considered universal modes of divine service and render one liable to execution when performed for idols.
Halachah 4 — Acceptance of a Deity as God
Merely accepting an idol as a god, even verbally and without ritual service, makes one liable to execution.
Retraction during speech does not remove liability.
This halachah also addresses nuanced cases involving unconventional acts (e.g., staffs, offerings, or debased substances).
Halachah 5 — Derisive Worship
Even if one serves an idol mockingly or with intent to repudiate it, he is liable if the act matches the idol’s accepted form of worship.
Derision does not negate liability.
Halachah 6 — Service Motivated by Love or Fear
If one serves an idol out of attraction or fear, he is liable only if he accepts it as a god.
Acts of honor or deference (e.g., kissing, cleaning, dressing the idol) violate a prohibition but do not incur capital punishment unless they are the idol’s established form of worship.
Halachah 7 — Avoiding the Appearance of Worship
One must avoid actions that appear to be worship, such as bending down before an idol to pick something up.
Instead, he should alter his posture to avoid suspicion.
Halachah 8 — Conduct Near Idolatrous Fountains
One may not drink directly from fountains or statues associated with idols in a way that resembles kissing or worship.
Halachah 9 — Making an Idol
One who possesses an idol, even if he did not make or worship it, receives lashes.
One who fashions an idol—for himself or for others—receives lashes; if for himself, he receives double lashes.
Halachah 10 — Prohibition of Decorative Images
It is forbidden to make protruding human images, even for decoration.
Engraved, painted, or woven images are permitted.
This prohibition is intended to prevent confusion between art and idolatry.
Halachah 11 — Images of Celestial Beings
It is forbidden to make images of:
- humans,
- angels,
- the sun, moon, stars, or constellations.
Images of animals, plants, and other non‑human forms are permitted, even if protruding.
