Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 6: Forbidden Occult Practices, Molech Worship, and Pagan Ritual Structures
Halachah 1 — The Practices of Ov
One who knowingly performs the practices of an ov is liable to karet; if warned by witnesses, he is stoned.
These practices include incense and incantations that create the illusion of voices emerging from below the ground or from the body (such as through a skull).
If done unintentionally, a fixed sin offering is required.
Halachah 2 — The Practices of Yid’oni
A yid’oni involves placing a specific bird bone in one’s mouth, using incense and rituals to enter a trance and predict future events.
This is a form of idolatry and carries the same liability as ov.
The Torah explicitly forbids turning to ovot and yid’onim.
Halachah 3 — Giving One’s Progeny to Molech
One who knowingly gives of his progeny to Molech is liable to karet; if warned, he is stoned.
This involved passing the child through fire in a specific ritual manner, not burning the child.
The prohibition applies only to Molech worship.
Halachah 4 — Conditions for Liability to Molech
Liability applies only when:
- the child is given over,
- passed through fire,
- and carried by the father.
All conditions must be met, and only some of one’s progeny may be given—not all.
Halachah 5 — Which Descendants Are Included
The prohibition includes sons, daughters, grandchildren, legitimate or illegitimate.
It does not apply to siblings, ancestors, oneself, or to a sleeping or blind child.
Halachah 6 — Prohibited Monuments and Kneeling Stones
It is forbidden to erect a monument, even for God’s worship, as this was a pagan practice.
Similarly, bowing on a kneeling stone outside the Temple is forbidden and punishable by lashes if full prostration is performed.
Halachah 7 — Where Prostration Is Forbidden
The prohibition of bowing on stone applies everywhere outside the Temple.
In the Temple it is permitted.
For this reason, mats are placed on stone floors in synagogues during full prostration.
Halachah 8 — Prostration to God vs. Idols
Prostrating on stone to God without fully spreading out is punished by rebellious lashes.
Prostrating to a false deity incurs stoning, regardless of posture.
Halachah 9 — Planting Trees Near the Altar
It is forbidden to plant any tree near the altar or in the Temple courtyard, even for beautification.
This is because it resembles pagan practices.
Violation is punished by lashes.
Halachah 10 — Wooden Structures in the Temple
It is forbidden to construct wooden porches or structures in the Temple area.
All protruding structures in the Temple were made of stone, to distance Jewish worship from pagan custom.
