Do not derive benefit from ornaments of idols

The Literal Commandment

The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, or you will be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and like it come under the ban; you shall utterly detest it and you shall utterly abhor it, for it is something banned. (Deuteronomy 7:25-26)

 

The literal commandment is that we should not covet the silver or the gold that is on idols or take it for ourselves.

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

Messiah declares "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

Not only are we not to derive benefit from idols or their accessories, we are commanded not to derive benefit from the gold and silver that ornament idols. It is a clear reminder of how far we are to distance ourselves from idolatry and the falsehood it represents. Idolatry is pointless and only serves to turn us towards lies and away from the G-d who is the Truth.

If anyone would turn to idols and false gods then they are denying the truth of G-d's Word and Who He declares Himself to be.

These commandments prohibiting idolatry picture Messiah by pointing to idols and telling us He is not like them.

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not deriving benefit from ornaments of idols.

 

Traditional Observance

Anything of value (gold, silver, jewels... whatever) that decorates or ornaments an idol is shunned as being "under the ban" by G-d: it is forbidden.

 

Other Notes

We are able to fulfill this commandment today and should not derive benefit from that which ornaments idols.

We are warned against deriving benefit from ornaments of idols "or you will be snared by it". Snared means to be trapped or caught. As an animal may be snared in a trap and then killed so, too, can we become trapped and destroyed by the temptation of idolatry.

 

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Commandment Details

  • Mishneh Torah # 55
  • Mishneh Torah Book # 1
  • Mishneh Torah Book Knowledge
  • Mishneh Torah Category 4- Idolatry and Gentile Customs
  • Reference Deuteronomy 7:25
  • Scripture Book Deuteronomy
  • Chapter 7
  • Verse 25
  • English The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, or you will be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
  • Hebrew כה פְּסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם, תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ; לֹא-תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם, וְלָקַחְתָּ לָךְ--פֶּן תִּוָּקֵשׁ בּוֹ, כִּי תוֹעֲבַת יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ הוּא.
  • Greek 25 τὰ γλυπτὰ τῶν θεῶν αὐτῶν κατακαύσετε πυρί· οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις ἀργύριον οὐδὲ χρυσίον ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ λήμψῃ σεαυτῷ, μὴ πταίσῃς δι᾿ αὐτό, ὅτι βδέλυγμα κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σού ἐστιν·
  • Parashah 46- Ekev
  • Positive/Negative Negative
  • Sefer Hachinuch # 428
  • Sef. Hach. Command Not to derive benefit from any ornamentation of an idol
  • Category Idolatry
  • We can fulfill today Yes

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