Do Not Make Gods of Silver or Gold Alongside Me

Mekhilta DeRabbi Shimon Ben Yochai 20:20

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"You shall not make [gods] with Me" (Exodus 20:20): that a man shall not make an altar corresponding to the altar, or a table after the pattern of the table, or a lampstand after the pattern of the lampstand; the words of Rabbi Meir. "Gods of silver and gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves" (Exodus 20:20). Why do I need this? Has it not already been said, "you shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness" (Exodus 20:4)? What does Scripture teach by saying "gods of silver and gods of gold"? Since one might think: because it was permitted as an exception in the Sanctuary [the cherubim], it might be permitted in general in the provinces; Scripture teaches, "you shall not make for yourselves." Rabbi Ishmael says: We have heard the prohibition, but we have not heard the penalty. From the verse "and you shall make two cherubim of gold" (Exodus 25:18), one might think: since it was permitted of its kind in the Sanctuary, if they transgressed in the provinces they would not be liable; Scripture teaches "gods of silver and gods of gold," comparing gods of silver to gods of gold: just as gods of gold are included in the prohibition and included in the penalty, so too gods of silver are included in the prohibition and included in the penalty. Another interpretation: "You shall not make with Me gods of silver" means you shall not make any likeness of the ministering servants who minister before Me on high.

Themes

CommandmentsTempleTorah

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