Why we must be careful of idolatry today

March 2, 2018   

המאבק המרכזי שניהלה היהדות כנגד העולם שסביבה הוא להנחיל לאנושות את האמונה בא-ל אחד ולשלול את עבודת האלילים. התנ"ך מלמד אותנו שזה היה מאבק לא קל, כי הנטייה לעבוד עבודה זרה הייתה מושרשת עמוק בקרב בני-האדם, עד שאפילו בני ישראל כשלו שוב ושוב בחטא זה.

Today, idolatry in its simplest sense still exists only in backward cultures, mainly in the Far East and Africa, while most of the modern world embraces belief in one God and no longer worships wooden and stone statues. However, idolatry in its more refined sense also exists in the modern world, and we ourselves must be careful not to fall into its trap.

The one and only

The essence of idolatry is the attribution of power and influence to some entity other than the Creator. True faith in the Creator of the world means that He alone leads the world and determines its fate, and therefore He is the one and only address for prayer and supplication, and one should not wish or pray to any entity other than Him.

We must believe that everything comes from the Creator and there is nothing else besides Him. Therefore, we must thank Him alone for all the good in our lives, and direct our requests and wishes to Him. Indeed, "many are sent to the place," but they have no power of their own, and they cannot determine anything, but everything is determined by the Creator.

We establish this recognition in our consciousness by reciting it twice every day – "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.' This recitation does not mean merely the denial of idolatry. It is the recognition that the Creator alone is the source of power and abundance, and that there is no other factor that can do us good or harm. He is the one and only reality, and everything is contained in Him.

A person can believe in the Creator of the world, pray to Him, and yet feel that his fate is determined by earthly factors. He may think that some person will decide whether he will have a livelihood. He may imagine in his mind that his business is the source of his power and strength.

To him the thanks

Indeed, God leads the world in the way of nature and commands man to create earthly vessels through which abundance can be received. A person who sits at home with folded hands and expects God to send him his sustenance from heaven is not acting properly. And yet, man's actions are nothing more than instruments for receiving divine blessing, and the one who determines whether the blessing will be given is God alone.

A person is required to create a natural source of livelihood, but the livelihood itself comes from God. He determines whether the business will succeed, whether the employer will want to hire you, whether the seeds you sow will grow a crop. Without God's blessing, a person can run around day and night, investing in all the right places, and nothing will come of it. For there is one and only Lord of the world, and everything is in His hands.

That is why a Jew thanks God even for the simplest things. He remembers to bless God before and after a meal, because "He gives bread to all flesh." He is careful to give a tithe to charity from his earnings, knowing that "the blessing of God will make you rich." When he promises to do something, he adds: "With the help of God.".

Because everything comes from Him, even gratitude.