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Deuteronomy 7:25 - Destroy idols, reject temptation.

Deuteronomy 7:25 - דברים 7:25

Hebrew Text

פְּסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ לֹא־תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם וְלָקַחְתָּ לָךְ פֶּן תִּוָּקֵשׁ בּוֹ כִּי תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא׃

English Translation

The carvings of their gods shall you burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, or take it to thee, lest thou be snared with it: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.

Transliteration

Pesilei eloheihem tisrefun ba'esh lo-tachmod kesef vezahav aleihem velakachta lecha pen tivakesh bo ki to'avat Adonai Eloheicha hu.

Hebrew Leining Text

פְּסִילֵ֥י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן בָּאֵ֑שׁ לֹֽא־תַחְמֹד֩ כֶּ֨סֶף וְזָהָ֤ב עֲלֵיהֶם֙ וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ לָ֔ךְ פֶּ֚ן תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ בּ֔וֹ כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ הֽוּא׃
פְּסִילֵ֥י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן בָּאֵ֑שׁ לֹֽא־תַחְמֹד֩ כֶּ֨סֶף וְזָהָ֤ב עֲלֵיהֶם֙ וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ לָ֔ךְ פֶּ֚ן תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ בּ֔וֹ כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ הֽוּא׃

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Parasha Commentary

Destruction of Idolatrous Images

The verse commands the destruction of idolatrous images through burning, as stated: "The carvings of their gods shall you burn with fire". Rashi explains that this mitzvah applies specifically to idols worshipped by non-Jews, emphasizing the need to eradicate any trace of avodah zarah (foreign worship) from the land. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 7:2) elaborates that burning ensures complete annihilation, preventing any possibility of future veneration.

Prohibition Against Coveting the Gold and Silver

The Torah warns: "Thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them". The Sifrei (Devarim 61) teaches that even if the precious metals could be repurposed for mitzvot, they remain forbidden due to their association with idolatry. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 54b) further states that deriving benefit from such items is prohibited, as they are spiritually contaminated.

Danger of Spiritual Entrapment

The verse concludes with a caution: "lest thou be snared with it, for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God". The Kli Yakar highlights that the desire for wealth from idolatrous objects can lead one astray, as materialism often distracts from divine service. The Or HaChaim adds that even indirect contact with avodah zarah poses a spiritual risk, as it may awaken curiosity or attachment to forbidden practices.

  • Rashi (Devarim 7:25): Emphasizes the requirement to burn idols completely, leaving no remnant.
  • Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Avodat Kochavim 7:2): Details the laws of destroying idols and the prohibition against benefiting from them.
  • Sifrei (Devarim 61): Explains the severity of coveting idolatrous wealth, even for noble purposes.
  • Talmud (Avodah Zarah 54b): Discusses the broader prohibition of deriving any benefit from items associated with idol worship.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 54a
The verse is discussed in the context of the prohibition against deriving benefit from idolatrous objects, emphasizing the command to destroy idols and not to take any silver or gold from them.
📖 Sanhedrin 64a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the laws of idolatry and the requirement to completely eradicate idolatrous items, including burning them and not keeping any valuables from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 7:25 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 7:25 commands the Jewish people to destroy idolatrous objects by burning them and warns against taking any silver or gold from them. The Torah teaches that even the precious metals used in idols are spiritually dangerous because they can lead a person to desire or be influenced by idolatry, which is an abomination to Hashem.
Q: Why does the Torah forbid taking gold or silver from idols?
A: Rashi explains that taking gold or silver from idols could lead a person to become 'snared'—meaning they might develop an attachment to idolatry or be influenced by its negative spiritual effects. The Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 7:2) further teaches that any benefit from idolatrous items is forbidden to prevent any association with avodah zarah (foreign worship).
Q: How does this verse apply today if we don’t encounter physical idols?
A: While physical idol worship is rare today, the principle still applies to avoiding anything that distracts us from serving Hashem properly. The Sages teach that modern 'idolatry' can include excessive attachment to money, fame, or other desires that take the place of devotion to Torah and mitzvot. The lesson is to reject anything spiritually harmful, even if it seems valuable.
Q: Why does the Torah call idolatry an 'abomination'?
A: Idolatry is called a 'to’evah' (abomination) because it denies the fundamental Jewish belief in One G-d. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) explains that idolatry corrupts a person’s understanding of truth and leads to moral and spiritual decay. The Torah emphasizes its severity to protect the Jewish people from false beliefs.
Q: What can we learn from the command to burn idols?
A: This teaches us the importance of completely removing negative influences from our lives. Just as physical idols must be destroyed, we must actively distance ourselves from harmful behaviors or ideologies. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 52a) discusses how destroying idols symbolizes rejecting falsehood and strengthening our commitment to Torah values.