“Don’t make for yourself any idol…” (Exodus 20:4)
The Hebrew here is “Lo ta’aseh lecha pesel” which is ordinarily translated to teach we shouldn’t make an idol for ourselves. But it can also imply that we shouldn’t make ourselves into an idol! Idolatry is ultimately a placing one’s own will over the will of the Almighty. The serving of one’s self rather than serving God.
Psalm 81:10 warns us that “there shall be no strange god within you…” Our sages teach that one who explodes in rage is as if s/he has engaged in idol worship (Shabbos 105b). This kind of explosion is an over-extension of our ego into the world that ultimately asserts oneself as a god. Idolatry is not just an ancient challenge that went the way of the dodo bird. We each face it every day.
3 Responses
Greetings, Rabbi…
I get the sense that perhaps we deal with several “levels” or “types” of idolatry… such that idolatry maybe hovers under the radar…?
You could say there is technical, formal idolatry. And then there are derivative, related issues. This would include the “worship” of money, of self, etc.
Good words Rabbi😊 I have been guilty of indulging and getting “way” too upset with politics here in the States. I needed this today. Thank you very much.