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Mishneh Torah
Vol, 3: Hilchot Avodat Kochavim
Description
of how man came to worship idols and discussion of astrology,
sorcery, and black magic. Also deals with the basic premises
governing the relationship between Jews and gentiles and
describes many Biblical prohibitions which were instituted to
nullify pagan influence.... THE LAWS OF IDOL-WORSHIP AND
ITS REGULATIONS
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These chapters discuss the
following two positive commandments and forty-nine negative
commandments:
1) Not to follow idolaters.
2) Not to follow one's inclinations or after what one sees.
3) Not to blaspheme.
4) Not to serve idols in the appropriate manner.
5) Not to bow down to idols.
6) Not to make a graven image for oneself.
7) Not to make a graven image for others.
8) Not to make figures, even for decoration.
9) Not to influence others into idolatry.
10) To burn down an influenced city.
11) Not to rebuild an influenced city.
12) Not to benefit from any of the monies of idols.
13) Not to mislead someone into serving idols.
14) Not to like a misleader.
15) Not to refrain from hating a misleader.
16) Not to save an inciter.
17) Not to credit an inciter with any merits.
18) Not to refrain from doing bad to a misleader.
19) Not to prophecise in the name of an idol.
20) Not to listen to one who does prophecise in the name of an
idol.
21) Not to prophecise falsely, even in the name of God.
22) Not to refrain from executing a false prophet.
23) Not to take an oath in the name of an idolater.
24) Not to perform necromancy.
25) Not to perform wizardry.
26) Not to pass someone through a Molech.
27) Not to establish a monument.
28) Not to bow down on a figured stone.
29) Not to plant an asherah.
30) To destroy idolatry and all that is made for it.
31) Not to benefit from idol-worship or any of its accoutrements.
32) Not to benefit from an idol's covering.
33) Not to make a covenant with idol worshippers.
34) Not to favour an idol-worshippers.
35) Not to permit idolaters to live in our land.
36) Not to follow their customs and way of dress.
37) Not to perform soothsaying.
38) Not to use divination.
39) Not to enchant.
40) Not to employ a charmer.
41) Not to consult the dead.
42) Not to consult a necromancer.
43) Not to consult a wizard.
44) Not to perform witchery.
45) Not to shave the corners of one's head with a blade.
46) Not to shave the corners of one's beard with a blade.
47) For a man not to wear a woman's ornaments.
48) For a woman not to wear a man's ornaments.
49) Not to make tattoos.
50) Not to cut oneself as a sign of mourning.
51) Not to make a bald patch on one's forehead as a sign of
mourning.
CHAPTER ONE
This chapter discusses the
evolution of idolatry, until Abraham came and recognised God, and
made His oneness made known throughout the world.
CHAPTER TWO
This chapter tells us not to
worship any creation, such worship being the core of idolatry, not
to read any of the books of idolatry, and also discusses the laws
regarding a blasphemer.
CHAPTER THREE
This chapter discusses serving
idols willingly or inadvertently, whether correctly or not, the
laws concerning someone who makes a god for himself or for others,
the prohibition of forms for decoration even if they are not for
idolatry, and the difference between protruding and sunken forms.
CHAPTER FOUR
This chapter discusses influenced
cities, and states that the laws of such a city do not apply to
Jerusalem or any of the refuge cities.
CHAPTER FIVE
This chapter discusses inciters,
the difference between inciting and influencing, false prophets,
and the prohibition to exalt a gentile.
CHAPTER SIX
This chapter discusses
necromancy, wizardry, Molech, monuments, figured stones, and the
prohibition to plant a tree in the Temple.
CHAPTER SEVEN
This chapter discusses the
prohibition to benefit from idols or their accoutrements, and also
discusses the difference between the idols of Jews and those of
gentiles.
CHAPTER EIGHT
This chapter discusses those
things which are forbidden for benefit because of idolatry, and
also discusses the difference between the idols of Jews and those
of gentiles.
CHAPTER NINE
This chapter discusses the
prohibition to trade with idolaters before and during their
festivals.
CHAPTER TEN
This chapter discusses selling
houses and fields to idolaters inside and outside Israel, and
tells us to be charitable to poor gentiles as well as to poor Jews
CHAPTER ELEVEN
This chapter discusses not
following the practices of idolaters, and discusses soothsaying,
divination, enchantment and witchery.
CHAPTER TWELVE
This chapter discusses shaving
one's head or beard, the positive commandments from which women
are exempt, and also discusses tattooing.
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