I am HaShem - your G-d, who brought you out of Mitzrayim, out of the house of bondage - you shall not have other gods before me ~Shemos 20:2
This mitzvah commands us to believe in one G-d. HaShem is the one and only G-d. HaShem created the world and all creatures, before He created us.
This mitzvah comes from the heart, and worshipping another god is a crime. No value in life should replace our belief in HaShem.
You shall not have other gods in My presence ~Shemos 20:3
We are prohibited from making idols or graven images to worship them as gods. Chazal extended this mitzvah: we are forbidden to make physical representations of HaShem. It is forbidden to worship the work created by man.
You shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness which is in the heavens above, which is on the earth below, or which is in the water beneath the earth ~ Shemos 20:4
We are forbidden to bow down or to perform any worship rituals to false gods. Idol- worshippers often kneel down in front of their graven image as part of their worship or service to a false god. The definition of false gods; a G-d that is not HaShem is a false god. HaShem doesn't have helpers; He does not need them because He is HaShem.
We cannot worship a false god through a universal method, or any other method whatsoever. Jews cannot mimic the idol- worshippers actions in any way or for any reason, not even to mock or show contempt to the idol.
Do not believe in other gods, idolatry is a mortal transgression and is frequently mentioned in the Torah. Thousands of years ago idolatry was common, and in those times it was a battle between paganism and belief in HaShem. In our time the struggle is between belief in HaShem and belief in nothing.
These days we do no longer serve stones, animals, the sun or the moon, but that doesn't mean we can ignore the warning not to worship idols. The principle of idolatry still exists in our time. The mitzvah " you shall not have other gods" is a positive mitzvah of emunah. HaShem created the world with a purpose, to bring it into perfection, and for us to incorperate it into our behavior.
The Rambam teaches that it prohibits to believe with our heart that other gods exist. Yichud HaShem is the belief that HaShem is one, and the only G-d - Ein Od Milvado. Lo Yihiyeh, prohibits from believing in another power. How are the two different from each other?
The answer lies in a deeper understanding of the mitzvah and how it relates to emunah. Accourding to the definination of emunah, we must believe that there is een purpose to creation. The lessons to learn of emunah and Lo Yihiyeh is growing closer to HaShem through self- perfection.
On Shemini Atzeres we daven Tefillas Gershem praising HaShem as He gives us rain. And during the winter we ask for rain three times a day in Shemoneh Esrei. HaShem is simply waiting for us to recognize the need for rain. Emunah cause us to grow closer to HaShem, to rely on Him for all our needs. For HaShem to provide for us it takes hishtadlus to provide for ourselves first, it does not conflict with our reliance upon HaShem.
When someone accepts anything other than HaShem as a G-d, even if he or she believes that HaShem rules over all creations, he or she transgresses Lo Yihiyeh. Yichud HaShem requiers to believe that HaShem us the only G-d, and there is no one besides Him. Lo Yihiyeh prohibits placing our faith in anyone other than HaShem.
The Rambam states that in the time of Enosh, humanity made a huge mistakes. They worshipped the stars and the galaxies through which HaShem created the world. They came to conclusion that HaShem wants them to praise, glorify and honor them. The idol- worshippers did not deny that HaShem created everything, they were sure He was the creator.
All forms of Idolatry - Rambam brands as evil - was the cause of this mistake, not from denying HaShem. Although these idol - worshippers served the stars in order to fulfill HaShem's will, but as they progressed the ulterior motive began to replace the altruistic ones.
When Idol- worship became popular, the people attached black magic to their idols and programmed them to bring rain, the sun to shine, and to make things grow. They used idols to gain succes. The secret that fueled idolatry were transmitted from one generation to the next, until Avraham Avinu began to push back. There is a well- known Midrash which relates to Avraham as a child in Bereshis Rabbah 38:28;
Avraham's father, Terach, asked his son to mind the store for a while, and when his father came back all the idols were broken except for the largest one. Avraham explained to his father that a woman had brought food to sacrifice to the idols, and the largest one wanted all of it for himself. So he destroyed the others.
Avraham's father replied; An idol can't destroy other idols, they can't move themselves.
" So why do you worship them? asked Avraham.
Terach was a rational man, so why did he worshiped objects if he realized that they were powerless?
Why didn't he accept Avraham's argument ?
Avraham was not arguing that idoltary didn't work, it did work, and that is why people worship idols. Avraham was pointing out that idols cannot do anything on their own. They cannot make it rain and they cannot fight other idols. It is the human who programs them. A G-d does not need programming, was Avraham's argument. HaShem is Emes.
Idolatry is evil because it causes us to forget HaShem, and the purpose of creation. Idolatry is besides evil meaningless. Modern society reveals a world focused on making life simple. We no longer need the powers of impurity to manipulate nature, but we do know how to press the buttons that will make our lives flows smoothly, so people do not think about HaShem.
Technology makes lives easier, there is no need to place a deity of stone. Most of the food these days is processed. Who created thechnology? HaShem did. The secret that led to miracles of modern technology have existed since creation. The source is HaShem, and the problem with idolatry exists in our time in the form of technology: is this what life is about? Have we been swept off our feet by the powerful wave of pursuit of comfort and pleasure to extent this view as an end instaed of a mean?
Idol worship of our time does not necessary mean denial of HaShem as Creator and ruler of the world. What it does mean is worship of those systems in pursuit of a comfortable, pleasurable, but empty life. The Torah's warning not to serve Avodah Zarah is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. It commands not get stuck in a life that is comfortable, pleasurable but meaningless.
Often people don't understand the extent of the prohibition of Avodah Zarah, they think that it is limited into believing that there is some sort of force other than HaShem. The mitzvah is not to worship anything that was created, even when a person knows HaShem is the only G-d. Another way of violating the prohibition of Avodah Zarah is davening to something other than HaShem.
The prohibition of Avodah Zarah applies not only to Jews, but to all human beings. One of the mitzvos that bnei Noach is requiered to observe is the prohibition of idolatry:
Do not profane G‑d’s Oneness in any way.
Acknowledge that there is a single G‑d who cares about what we are doing and desires that we take care of His world.