Deuteronómio 16:22 Halajá: Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs, Mishneh Torah, Negative Mitzvot & Sefer HaChinukh

The pillar forbidden by the Torah, is a building where everybody assembles, even to serve God therein is forbidden, for in such manner was idolatry worshiped; for, it is said: "Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar" (Deut. 16.22). And, whosoever sets up a pillar is lashed. The same applies to a figured stone spoken of in the Torah, although one bows down to it for the sake of God, he is lashed; for, it is said: "Neither shall ye place any figured stone in your land, to bow down unto it" (Lev. 26.1), because such was the practice of idolaters, to deposit a stone before it, upon which to bow down to it; therefore, shall it not be so in the worship of God. But he is not lashed, unless he spread his hands and feet upon the stone, so that he be bodily lying on it, for such is the kind of bowing down spoken of in the Torah.⁸Sifre, Deut. 16; Megillah, 22a–b. C.

Not to set up a pillar (for worship), as it is said, “Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar (which the Lord thy God hateth)” (Deut. 16:22).

And it appears that [also] included in this commandment is that anyone who the members of the community have chosen to appoint appointees over them for any matter, that they should put all of their attention and intellect [to it], to appoint those appropriate and good for that appointment that the community requires. And he should not be frightened from any man, to appoint someone that is not appropriate. And the Sages said (Avodah Zarah 52a, Sanhedrin 7b) about someone who sets up a judge that is not proper, [that it is] as if he puts up a stone pillar, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 16:22) [soon after the commandment to set up judges], “and you shall not set up a pillar for yourself.” And if it is a place where there are Torah scholars in it, they said that it is like planting a tree-god, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 16:21), “You shall not plant a tree-god, any tree, beside the altar of the Lord, your God.” And they also said (Sanhedrin 7b) that anyone who appoints a judge because of his wealth, about this is it stated (Shemot 20:20), “You shall not make with Me gods of silver and gods of gold.” And they spoke at length about this matter and said (Talmud Yerushalmi Bikkurim 3:3) that it is forbidden to stand [for judgment] in front of a judge who gave money in order that he be appointed a judge. And they treated his honor very lightly, and said about him that the cloak with which he wraps himself should be like a donkey saddle in your eyes. And it was the way of the early Sages to flee from being appointed judges (Sanhedrin 14a), except in a place where there was no one greater than them.