Idolatry in Judaism

Judaism strongly prohibits any form of idolatry. Idolatry is Judaism's antithesis, and is prohibited. Judaism holds that idolatry is not limited to the worship of an idol itself, but also worship involving any artistic representations of God. In addition it is forbidden to derive benefit (hana'ah) from anything dedicated to idolatry. However, aniconism in Judaism has not prevented traditions of Jewish art at various periods.

The second of the Ten Commandments prohibits the Israelites from holding any other god before God, nor to make any "graven image". (Exodus 20:2-3, Deut 5:6-7)

Avodah Zarah is a tractate of the Talmud which discusses idolatry, as well as relations with gentiles. The subject is also raised in many other passages of the Talmud.

In ancient times, there were many practices of the pagan Greeks and Romans which the Jews considered idolatry. For example, they objected to Roman troops entering their territory with flags, or the Roman worship of their emperors as divine. To reduce exposure to idolatry, intimate association with non-Jews was strongly disapproved.

On the other hand, many pagans labeled Jews as anti-social because of their refusal to worship other gods. "Whosoever denies idols is called a Jew" (Talmud Megilah 13). To statements such as this, the Jew responded: "Whosoever recognizes idols has denied the entire Torah; and whosoever denies idols has recognized the entire Torah" (Midrash Sifre, Deut. 54 and parallel passages). "As soon as one departs from the words of the Torah, it is as though he attached himself to the worship of idols" (Midrash Sifri, Deut 43).

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