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Exodus 20:4 - No graven images allowed

Exodus 20:4 - שמות 20:4

Hebrew Text

לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה־לְךָ פֶסֶל וְכָל־תְּמוּנָה אֲשֶׁר בַּשָּׁמַיִם מִמַּעַל וַאֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ מִתַָּחַת וַאֲשֶׁר בַּמַּיִם מִתַּחַת לָאָרֶץ

English Translation

Thou shalt not make for thyself any carved idol, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Transliteration

Lo ta'aseh-lecha pesel vechol-temunah asher bashamayim mima'al va'asher ba'aretz mitachat va'asher bamayim mitachat la'aretz

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹֽ֣א־תַעֲשֶֽׂ֨ה־לְךָ֥֣ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙&thinsp
לֹֽ֣א־תַעֲשֶֽׂ֨ה־לְךָ֥֣ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙&thinsp

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Prohibition Against Idolatry

The verse (Shemot 20:4) is the second of the Ten Commandments and establishes a strict prohibition against creating or worshipping idols. This commandment is foundational to Jewish belief, emphasizing the absolute unity and incorporeality of Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi comments that this prohibition includes not only idols worshipped by others but even images intended for decorative purposes if they resemble entities in the heavens (like the sun, moon, or stars), on earth (animals or people), or in the waters (fish or sea creatures). The Torah forbids creating such images due to the risk of them becoming objects of worship.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Avodah Zarah (3:10), the Rambam explains that this prohibition extends to any form of representation that could lead to avodah zarah (idolatry), even if one does not intend to worship it. The Rambam emphasizes that this mitzvah safeguards the purity of monotheistic belief by removing any physical representation of the divine.

Talmudic and Midrashic Insights

  • The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 43b) discusses the parameters of this prohibition, clarifying that only complete, three-dimensional human forms are forbidden, while partial or two-dimensional images may be permitted under certain circumstances.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Parshat Yitro) teaches that this commandment comes immediately after "I am Hashem your G-d" to stress that one must not attribute divinity to any physical form, as Hashem transcends all creation.

Halachic Applications

Poskim (halachic decisors) rule that this prohibition applies even if one does not worship the image, as the act of creation could lead others to mistake it for an idol. However, exceptions exist for educational or scientific purposes, provided there is no risk of avodah zarah (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 141).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Avodah Zarah 43b
The verse is discussed in the context of prohibitions against idolatry and the making of images, particularly focusing on what constitutes an idol or forbidden image.
📖 Rosh Hashanah 24b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the prohibition of creating images, even for non-idolatrous purposes, emphasizing the broad application of the commandment.
📖 Sanhedrin 7b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the severity of idolatry and the punishments associated with violating this commandment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the verse 'Thou shalt not make for thyself any carved idol' mean?
A: This verse, from the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:4), prohibits creating or worshipping physical representations of G-d or false deities. According to Rashi and Rambam, this includes any images meant to represent the divine, whether of celestial beings (like angels or stars), earthly creatures, or sea life. The Torah emphasizes that G-d is beyond physical form and cannot be confined to any image.
Q: Why is this commandment important in Judaism?
A: This commandment is foundational because it reinforces monotheism—the belief in one, invisible G-d. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 43b) explains that idolatry distorts our relationship with G-d by reducing His infinite nature to limited physical forms. Rambam (Hilchot Avodat Kochavim) teaches that rejecting idolatry is essential to preserving pure faith and avoiding spiritual corruption.
Q: Does this verse forbid all art or sculptures?
A: No, the prohibition applies specifically to creating images for worship or that could lead to idolatry. The Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 3:1) and Rashi clarify that decorative art—like sculptures or paintings not intended for veneration—is permitted. However, making human or animal figures in contexts that might encourage improper reverence (e.g., full-body statues) is often avoided as a precaution (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah 141).
Q: How does this verse apply today?
A: While literal idol worship is rare today, the principle reminds us to avoid 'modern idolatry'—placing excessive importance on materialism, fame, or other distractions that replace devotion to G-d. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim 54) teaches that anything we prioritize above G-d can become an 'idol' in our lives. This commandment calls us to focus on serving G-d with sincerity and humility.
Q: What can we learn from this commandment?
A: We learn that G-d desires a direct, spiritual relationship with us—not one mediated through physical objects. The Sefer HaChinuch (Mitzvah 26) explains that this mitzvah trains us to recognize G-d's omnipresence and transcendence. By rejecting idols, we affirm that true connection to the Divine comes through Torah study, prayer, and ethical actions—not through symbols or intermediaries.