Halakha Imamat 19:4: Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs, Mishneh Torah, Negative Mitzvot, Sefer HaChinukh & Kitzur Shulchan Arukh

The idolaters compiled many books of worship, defining its principle manner of service, its works and its laws; but the Holy One, blessed be He! charged us not to read those books at all, not to think of idolatry generally nor of aught of its details. Moreover, to look at it is forbidden, as it is said: "Turn ye not unto idols" (Lev. 19.4.); and of thinking on this subject it is said: "And that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their god"? (Ibid.), which is a warning that thou shalt not inquire concerning its manner of practice, though thou art not worshiping it, for this very inquiry causes a turning after it and to imitate their practice, as it is further said: "Even so will I do likewise" (Ibid.).²Shabbat, 149a; Sifra, Lev. 19; Sanhedrin, 100b. C. G.

One who has an idol made for himself, even though he made it not by his own hand and did not worship it, is striped; because it is said: "Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness" (Ex. 20.4; Deut. 5.8). Even so, if one makes by his own hand an idol for others is striped, though he made it for an idolater; because it is said: "Nor make to yourselves molten gods" (Lev. 19.4). Therefore, he who makes an idol for himself, by his own hand, is lashed twice.¹⁴Abodah Zarah, 43b. G.

Not to make idols even for others, as it is said, “Thou shalt not make unto thee molten gods” (Ex. 34:17).