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Podcast: The Great Sources with Rabbi Shnayor Burton
Episode: S1, E21 One God, Un-gods and Other Gods
Description: Of major focus in the Torah, idolatry is the subject of numerous commandments, warnings and punishments; but what, precisely, is it? And who are those "Other Gods" that the Torah forbids to worship? Are there more gods than the One God?
According to Rambam, idolatry is, essentially, a forbidden practice. While it is theoretically fitting to venerate the heavenly servants of Hashem – the sun, the moon and the stars, actions resembling worship are nonetheless prohibited because they lead to erroneous beliefs.
Ramban explains the matter differently: idolatry is an expression of faithlessness. It is the de...