Sefer Hamitzvot - Lesson 14

"And no more such wickedness shall be done amongst you"—Deuteronomy 13:12.

It is forbidden to incite another to worship idols.

"Do not be drawn to him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.

The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to harbor any love or sympathy for one who urged him to abandon G‑d. Though we are commanded to love every Jew – even a sinner – an inciter is the exception to this rule.

"Nor (shall you) listen to him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.

The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to soften his hatred towards the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.

"Nor shall your eye pity him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.

When seeing a person in mortal danger, we are commanded to come to the rescue. This rule does not apply towards one who incites to idol worship. The person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is forbidden to come to the rescue of the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.

"Nor shall you spare (him)"—Deuteronomy 13:9.

In the course of the court proceedings, the person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to justify the actions of the one who urged him to abandon G‑d, nor is he allowed to express anything positive about the inciter that could possibly lead to his vindication. (This is an exception to the general rule. Normally, the courts encourage anyone who has anything positive to say about the accused to speak up.)

"Nor shall you cover up for him"—Deuteronomy 13:9.

In the course of the court proceedings, the person who is the target of incitement to idol worship is not allowed to cover up any deleterious evidence he is privy to regarding the one who urged him to abandon G‑d.

"[The prophet]... that shall speak in the name of other gods"—Deuteronomy 18:20.

It is forbidden to prophesy, claiming that G‑d commanded to worship a pagan deity. It is also forbidden to prophesy in the name of a pagan deity, to claim that the deity appeared and instructed to serve it, promising reward for those who comply with its demand and punishment for those who don't.

"Do not listen to the words of that prophet"—Deuteronomy 13:4.

It is forbidden to listen to a prophet who claims to talk in the name of a pagan deity. We may not debate him or ask him for miraculous signs to corroborate his alleged prophecy. Rather, we warn him to desist, and if he continues in his ways, he is put to death by the courts.

"But the prophet who shall purposely speak a word in My name which I have not commanded him to speak"—Deuteronomy 18:20.

It is forbidden to utter a false prophecy in G‑d's name—i.e., to state that G‑d has said something that He has not. It is also forbidden for someone to say a (true) prophecy, stating that this is something that G‑d has revealed to him, when in fact G‑d spoke this prophecy to another prophet.

"You shall not fear him"—Deuteronomy 18:22.

We are not to fear a false prophet simply because he appears to be a holy individual who feigns to speak in G‑d's name.

"Make no mention of the name of other gods"—Exodus 23:13.

It is forbidden to swear in the name of an idol, or to ask another (even an idol-worshipper) to swear in the name of a false deity.

This prohibition also includes not even mentioning the name of an idol. For example, one should not tell his fellow, "Wait for me beside Idol X."

"Do not turn to the Ovs"—Leviticus 19:31.

We are forbidden from employing the idolatrous practice of Ov.

The Ov practice consisted of burning a certain incense and doing certain acts known to the Ov followers. At that point, it would seem to the person engaging in these acts that he hears a voice emanating from beneath his armpit, which would answer questions that he posed.

"Do not turn to Yid'oni"—Leviticus 19:31.

We are forbidden from employing the idolatrous practice of Yid'oni.

The Yid'oni practice consisted of inserting into one's mouth a bone from the yidoa fowl. After then burning incense, saying certain formulas and doing certain rites, the person would enter a trance-like state, and he would begin issuing predictions about the future.

"Do not give any of your children to deliver to Molech"—Leviticus 18:21.

We are prohibited to "give from our children to Molech."

In ancient times, there was a pagan deity known as Molech. The Molech religion demanded that its followers engage in a barbaric ritual: Parents would present some of their children to the Molech priests, and then, with the permission of these priests, the parents would pass their children over a raging bonfire.