🌍 Global Noahide Fellowship

Parashat Behar: The Prohibition of Idolatry in the Modern Era

At the end of Parashat Behar, the Torah sets forth a clear warning: “You shall not make for yourselves idols, nor shall you set up for yourselves a carved image or a pillar, nor shall you place a sacred stone in your land to bow down to, for I am the Lord your G-d” (Leviticus 26:1).

For a Noahide, the commandment not to worship idols is the first of the Seven Noahide Commandments. In the past, idolatry was easy to identify—people bowed down to wooden and stone statues. But in the modern world, idolatry may take on sophisticated forms.

Yoga and meditation, This sounds innocent, but some of the postures were originally designed as gestures of bowing or respect for false gods. A Noahide who performs such a posture with the intention of "connecting" to its original tradition may enter the grey area of idolatry. Rituals that include burning incense before a figure or statue in a yoga studio may pose a significant transgression.

In meditation, using mantras (repeated words) that contain the names of foreign idols is a complete prohibition.

Statues placed in the home as decorative items may represent idolatrous figures. Even if the homeowner does not worship them, placing a figure representing a false god in the personal space violates the exclusive awareness of the presence of Hashem.

The most common encounter of Noahide children with idolatry today occurs through computer games. Many computer games present "idols" with unnatural power. A young child may subconsciously internalize by mistake, that there are independent forces in the world besides the Creator. Unlike a human “bad guy” who can be defeated in a regular battle, a monstrous entity is perceived as undefeated and from which there is nowhere to escape. This wrong perception may produce in some cases, nightmares and a deep sense of fear. For a child who has difficulty separating the world of the game from reality, the figure of the “evil false god” remains present and threatening even after the screen is turned off.

A Noahide as well as a Jew is required to be a “gatekeeper” of his home and soul. We must examine the content that our children consume. Maintaining spiritual purity from idolatry is not just avoiding prohibition; it is the only way to reach a deep awareness of G-d. This awareness will surely give us joy and security.

Sources:  Leviticus 26:1. Rama, Responsa, Chapter 10. The Divine Code part 2 page 122. 

Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is the author of the books:

Light Onto the Nation: A Guide to the Seven Noahide Laws

Light Onto the Torah Portions: Insights on the Torah Portions for Noahides 2 volumes.

Stories of Faith for Noahides: Inspiring Stories for Noahides from the Righteous of all Generations.

Serving G-d with Joy:  A Guide for Jews and Bnei Noah to Serving the Creator with Joy