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

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

This chapter discusses inciters, the difference between inciting and influencing, false prophets, and the prohibition to exalt a gentile.

This chapter discusses necromancy, wizardry, Molech, monuments, figured stones, and the prohibition to plant a tree in the Temple.

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.

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.

This chapter discusses the prohibition to trade with idolaters before and during their festivals.

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

This chapter discusses not following the practices of idolaters, and discusses soothsaying, divination, enchantment and witchery.

This chapter discusses shaving one's head or beard, the positive commandments from which women are exempt, and also discusses tattooing.