The Sifrei Devarim, an ancient Jewish legal commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy, wrestles with this very question. It delves into the prohibition against worshipping other gods, and it gets surprisingly specific. One passage in particular, Sifrei Devarim 148, gets to the heart of it.
The phrase "which I did not command" in Deuteronomy, according to this passage, encompasses the idea of "combining" other deities with the Almighty. It's not just about outright rejecting G-d, it's about diluting the concept of monotheism itself. It’s about saying, in effect, “Sure, I believe in G-d… and these other things too.”
But how far does this prohibition extend? R. Yossi Haglili jumps in with a fascinating point. He brings up Deuteronomy 4:19, which mentions "the sun and the moon... which the L-rd your G-d bequeathed to all the peoples." At first glance, it sounds like G-d might have intended other nations to worship celestial bodies!
But R. Yossi Haglili quickly clarifies. He points us to Deuteronomy 29:25, where it speaks of "gods which they did not know and which He did not bequeath to them (to serve them)." The key word here is “bequeathed.” Just because other nations might do something, doesn't mean G-d commanded or even intended it. There's a subtle but crucial difference.
And then, R. Yossi shares a teaching from his son, Elazar. Elazar brings three verses from Jeremiah 19:5 to further illuminate the concept of things that G-d did not command: "which I did not command" – this refers to something not commanded in the Torah, the foundational law. "and which I did not speak" – this refers to things not spoken through the prophets, the divine messengers. But the most striking is: "and which never entered My heart" – that a man should sacrifice his son on the altar. It's not just about following rules. It's about understanding the very essence of G-d's will, what is so antithetical to the divine nature that it never even crossed His mind. Child sacrifice was a practice in some ancient cultures. This verse powerfully underscores the absolute abhorence with which G-d views such an act. It wasn't just uncommanded; it was unimaginable.
So, what does this all mean for us today? It’s a reminder that belief isn't just about reciting affirmations. It’s about shaping our actions, our thoughts, and even our desires to align with the values that are at the core of our faith. It's about striving to understand not just what is commanded, but what is truly in the heart of the Divine. It asks us to consider, what actions, ideas, or beliefs are we "combining" with our faith, and are they truly in harmony with the divine will?