אֱלֹהֵ֥י מַסֵּכָ֖ה לֹ֥א תַעֲשֶׂה־לָּֽךְ׃
Huwag kang gagawa para sa iyong sarili ng mga diyos na hinulmang metal.
Ramban
THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE MY FACE. Rashi wrote: “Thou shalt have no other gods. Why is this said?270Since it says, I am the Eternal thy God, etc., it already means, “I, am not another.” Why then does He state again, Thou shalt not have other gods before Me? It is because it says, Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image.275Verse 4. From this I would only know that it is forbidden to make an idol. Whence do I know that one may not keep an idol that has already been made? Scripture therefore says, Thou shalt have no other gods.” This is indeed a Beraitha276See Seder Bo, Note 209. taught in the Mechilta.277Mechilta on the verse here. But if this is so, this verse would constitute a negative commandment in itself, being a prohibition against a person who retains an idol on his premises. [The violation thereof] does not make one liable to the death-penalty by the court. So [the question arises]: Why did He state the prohibition against keeping an idol, which makes one liable to whipping, before [He stated] the prohibition against bowing down to idols or worshipping them,278In Verse 5. which makes one liable to extinction [if done intentionally but with no witnesses present], or death by the court [if there were witnesses]?
In my opinion, the final decision of the Law is not in accordance with this Beraitha,276See Seder Bo, Note 209. for it represents the opinion of a single Sage [against the opinion of the majority]. Thus we find it taught in the Sifra:279Sifra, beginning of Seder Kedoshim (Leviticus, Chapter 19). On “Sifra,” See above, Note 52. “Nor make ye to yourselves molten gods.280Leviticus 19:4. I might think that others may make it for you. Scripture therefore says, Nor… to yourselves. From this I know only that [others may not make it] for you, but I might think that you may make it for others. Scripture therefore says, Nor make ye: not for you by others, and not by you for others. It is from here that the Rabbis have derived the principle that he who makes an idol for himself, transgresses two negative commandments: Nor make ye, and Nor… to yourselves. Rabbi Yosei says, ‘He transgresses three negative commandments: Nor make ye, Nor… to yourselves, and also Thou shalt have no other gods.’” Thus you see that Rabbi Yosei’s opinion is that of one against a majority, for it is he who says that the verse Thou shalt have no other gods constitutes a prohibition against retaining an idol [in one’s house]. However, according to the opinion of the first Sage, [which is that of the majority of the Rabbis], it is not so.
The correct interpretation even according to the literal meaning of Scripture is that the usage of the language of the verse here is similar to the expressions: and the Eternal shall be my G-d;281Genesis 28:21. to be your G-d.282Leviticus 11:45. The verse here thus states that excepting the Eternal only, we are not to have others as gods, neither from all the angels above nor from all the host of heaven who are called elohim. This is something like that which is said, he that sacrificeth ‘la’elohim’ (unto the gods) save unto the Eternal only, shall be utterly destroyed.283Further, 22:19. It is thus a prohibition against believing in any of these beings, accepting them as gods, or saying to them, “thou art my god.”284See Psalms 140:7 and Sanhedrin 60b. This is also the opinion of Onkelos, who translated: “[thou shalt have no] other gods excepting Me.”285Ramban’s intent is evidently as follows: Since Onkelos always translated elohim acheirim as ta’avath am’maya (the deceptions of the nations) — see e.g., further, 23:13 — and here he translated, ela acharan (other gods), it shows that he referred to the angels of above, etc.
Know that wherever Scripture says elohim acheirim, the meaning is “others besides the Glorious Name.” It uses this expression with reference to accepting G-d or worshipping Him, thus saying: “Do not accept them upon yourselves as G-d, with the exception only of the Eternal.” But when Scripture speaks of making idols, it will never say acheirim (others) — [“other gods”] — Heaven forbid!286“When speaking of accepting or worshipping G-d, Scripture could say, ‘Do not accept or worship any other god besides the Eternal.’ But when Scripture warns against making an idol, how could it say [that we are] not to make ‘other gods’ when it is G-d Who has made everything and Who was not made!” (Tur.) Instead it says, Nor make to yourselves molten gods;280Leviticus 19:4. Molten gods do not make unto thee.287Further, 34:17. They are called [gods] because they were made with the intent of serving their makers as gods, but in reference to them, Scripture says, For they were no gods, but the works of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.288Isaiah 37:19.
Thus in the second commandment, He admonished us firstly that we should not accept upon ourselves a master from among all gods excepting the Eternal. He then said that we should not make a graven image or any manner of likeness, [and we are not] to bow down to them or worship them in any manner whatsoever. It is for this reason that He said, Thou shalt not bow down unto them,289Verse 5. The intent of Ramban’s words is as follows: According to his own interpretation that this entire second commandment is directed against worshipping idols, we can understand why it says here in Verse 5, Thou shalt not bow down ‘to them’ and it does not say ‘other gods,’ because the purport of that verse is to be understood in connection with the preceding verse: “do not make a graven image, etc., to bow down ‘unto them.’” But according to Rashi, who interpreted Thou shalt have no other gods (Verse 3) as being a prohibition against keeping an idol, and Thou shalt not make unto thee, etc., (Verse 4) as being a prohibition against making idols, Verse 5 should have said, “Thou shalt not bow down ‘to other gods,’” since the subject of worshipping the idols as gods is here mentioned for the first time. since it is connected with the making [of idols — mentioned in the preceding verse] — which He prohibited the people from bowing down to them. Thus all [of the first three verses in this second commandment] constitute prohibitions against worshipping idols, and their violations all entail death by the court. This verse, [i.e., Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, etc. (Verse 4)], is thus not a prohibition against making idols which one does not worship oneself, [as Rashi would have it]. Further on [in Verse 20], He indeed warns against this, as it is said, gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto thee. Similarly, Thou shalt not make unto thee molten gods,287Further, 34:17. Ye shall not make unto thee idols.290Leviticus 26:1.
In my opinion, the final decision of the Law is not in accordance with this Beraitha,276See Seder Bo, Note 209. for it represents the opinion of a single Sage [against the opinion of the majority]. Thus we find it taught in the Sifra:279Sifra, beginning of Seder Kedoshim (Leviticus, Chapter 19). On “Sifra,” See above, Note 52. “Nor make ye to yourselves molten gods.280Leviticus 19:4. I might think that others may make it for you. Scripture therefore says, Nor… to yourselves. From this I know only that [others may not make it] for you, but I might think that you may make it for others. Scripture therefore says, Nor make ye: not for you by others, and not by you for others. It is from here that the Rabbis have derived the principle that he who makes an idol for himself, transgresses two negative commandments: Nor make ye, and Nor… to yourselves. Rabbi Yosei says, ‘He transgresses three negative commandments: Nor make ye, Nor… to yourselves, and also Thou shalt have no other gods.’” Thus you see that Rabbi Yosei’s opinion is that of one against a majority, for it is he who says that the verse Thou shalt have no other gods constitutes a prohibition against retaining an idol [in one’s house]. However, according to the opinion of the first Sage, [which is that of the majority of the Rabbis], it is not so.
The correct interpretation even according to the literal meaning of Scripture is that the usage of the language of the verse here is similar to the expressions: and the Eternal shall be my G-d;281Genesis 28:21. to be your G-d.282Leviticus 11:45. The verse here thus states that excepting the Eternal only, we are not to have others as gods, neither from all the angels above nor from all the host of heaven who are called elohim. This is something like that which is said, he that sacrificeth ‘la’elohim’ (unto the gods) save unto the Eternal only, shall be utterly destroyed.283Further, 22:19. It is thus a prohibition against believing in any of these beings, accepting them as gods, or saying to them, “thou art my god.”284See Psalms 140:7 and Sanhedrin 60b. This is also the opinion of Onkelos, who translated: “[thou shalt have no] other gods excepting Me.”285Ramban’s intent is evidently as follows: Since Onkelos always translated elohim acheirim as ta’avath am’maya (the deceptions of the nations) — see e.g., further, 23:13 — and here he translated, ela acharan (other gods), it shows that he referred to the angels of above, etc.
Know that wherever Scripture says elohim acheirim, the meaning is “others besides the Glorious Name.” It uses this expression with reference to accepting G-d or worshipping Him, thus saying: “Do not accept them upon yourselves as G-d, with the exception only of the Eternal.” But when Scripture speaks of making idols, it will never say acheirim (others) — [“other gods”] — Heaven forbid!286“When speaking of accepting or worshipping G-d, Scripture could say, ‘Do not accept or worship any other god besides the Eternal.’ But when Scripture warns against making an idol, how could it say [that we are] not to make ‘other gods’ when it is G-d Who has made everything and Who was not made!” (Tur.) Instead it says, Nor make to yourselves molten gods;280Leviticus 19:4. Molten gods do not make unto thee.287Further, 34:17. They are called [gods] because they were made with the intent of serving their makers as gods, but in reference to them, Scripture says, For they were no gods, but the works of men’s hands, wood and stone; therefore they have destroyed them.288Isaiah 37:19.
Thus in the second commandment, He admonished us firstly that we should not accept upon ourselves a master from among all gods excepting the Eternal. He then said that we should not make a graven image or any manner of likeness, [and we are not] to bow down to them or worship them in any manner whatsoever. It is for this reason that He said, Thou shalt not bow down unto them,289Verse 5. The intent of Ramban’s words is as follows: According to his own interpretation that this entire second commandment is directed against worshipping idols, we can understand why it says here in Verse 5, Thou shalt not bow down ‘to them’ and it does not say ‘other gods,’ because the purport of that verse is to be understood in connection with the preceding verse: “do not make a graven image, etc., to bow down ‘unto them.’” But according to Rashi, who interpreted Thou shalt have no other gods (Verse 3) as being a prohibition against keeping an idol, and Thou shalt not make unto thee, etc., (Verse 4) as being a prohibition against making idols, Verse 5 should have said, “Thou shalt not bow down ‘to other gods,’” since the subject of worshipping the idols as gods is here mentioned for the first time. since it is connected with the making [of idols — mentioned in the preceding verse] — which He prohibited the people from bowing down to them. Thus all [of the first three verses in this second commandment] constitute prohibitions against worshipping idols, and their violations all entail death by the court. This verse, [i.e., Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, etc. (Verse 4)], is thus not a prohibition against making idols which one does not worship oneself, [as Rashi would have it]. Further on [in Verse 20], He indeed warns against this, as it is said, gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto thee. Similarly, Thou shalt not make unto thee molten gods,287Further, 34:17. Ye shall not make unto thee idols.290Leviticus 26:1.
Tur HaArokh
אלוהים אחרים, “other deities.” We must not admit that there are such other deities, even if we refuse to pay any tribute to these supposed deities. It is noteworthy that when the Torah forbids the making of such symbols, such images of other supposed deities, it does not dignify them with the title “other gods, or other deities,” but simply tells us not to make אלוהי מסכה, (Exodus 34,17). There is a subtle difference, in that the making for commercial purposes of a symbol to serve others, when such a symbol is known to be serving others as a deity or symbol of such. When making a symbol of one’s own deity the Torah wants it understood, in addition to the examples mentioned in our verse, that even a symbol of our true faith is totally forbidden to be made. If the Torah had not forbidden to make something אחר, something else, something that is not divine, as a symbol of one’s faith, this would be equivalent to admitting that such a notion would be credible, though foolish. The very idea of עושה אלוהים is laughable, as only The Creator could imbue anything created with divine power if He wanted to, not any creature.
Maaseh Nissim
The One who does not know how to ask... What is the connotation of the word: Vihigadita, “And you shall tell,” in Exodus Chapter 13:8.
The word Vihigadita has the connotation of constantly repeating something until the person finally understands and accepts it and is able to repeat it.
Why does the Maggid offer this child the same answer that we just gave to the wicked child? The answer implies that he would have been excluded from redemption just as the wicked child was excluded from God’s redemption.
One should repeat the lesson of the Exodus to the one who does not know how to ask until he is able to respond to the wicked child, “It is because of this that God did for me when I went forth from Egypt…” The one who does not know how to ask is the child who is most likely to be influenced by the wicked child, so we must educate him so he is able to respond effectively to his co-religionist. This is implied by the language of the verse, “You shall tell it to your child on that day, saying, ‘It is because of this that the Lord did for me when I went forth from Egypt.’” The word “Saying,” (Laymor) implies, “You shall tell it to him on that day so he can say... Because of this that the Lord did for me…" (Exodus 13:8).
What is the connection between the consecration of the first born, the month of Aviv, the prohibition against idolatry, and the commandment to observe Passover?
This is a bit of a digression but one that is directly related to the theme of Passover.Exodus 13:8 follows the law of consecrating the first born (Exodus 13:1-2.) Moses then appears to change course and he reminds the people, “Remember the day on which you went forth from Egypt…in the month of Aviv.” The Torah then reminds the people to eat Matzah and to celebrate the feast of Passover. This same combination of themes and linguistic connections is also found in several other passages in the Torah:
In Exodus 23:10, the commandment to observe the three festivals is followed by the commandment to eat Matzah in the month of Abib, “for on it you went forth from Egypt.”
In Exodus 34:17-18, the commandment not to worship molten gods is followed by “You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread….at the set time in the month of Abib…you went forth from Egypt.”
In Deuteronomy 15:19-16:1, we find the law of consecrating all the firstlings followed by a similar passage, “Observe the month of Abib…God freed you from Egypt.”
The themes of the firstborn, the prohibition against idolatry, and the observance of Passover are connected to one another. Israel’s first Passover in Egypt was meant to be a repudiation of Egyptian idolatry. The Egyptians worshipped the Ram, the first of the astrological symbol in the signs of the Zodiac. By slaughtering the Passover lamb (i.e. the ram), we were showing our rejection of the gods of Egypt. God is the first among all firsts. Therefore, whenever we are told to consecrate the firstborn or the firstlings, the Torah follows the commandment with a reminder to observe Passover which was the first religious ceremony to celebrate the rejection of the cult of the firstborn. In the Torah the firstborn belong to God, yet another reminder that God is the first among all firsts. Similarly, spring was the time of year associated with the astrological symbol of the Ram. By celebrating Passover at this time of year and mentioning Abib in connection with this practice, we are reminded of the rejection of Egyptian idolatry.
The word Vihigadita has the connotation of constantly repeating something until the person finally understands and accepts it and is able to repeat it.
Why does the Maggid offer this child the same answer that we just gave to the wicked child? The answer implies that he would have been excluded from redemption just as the wicked child was excluded from God’s redemption.
One should repeat the lesson of the Exodus to the one who does not know how to ask until he is able to respond to the wicked child, “It is because of this that God did for me when I went forth from Egypt…” The one who does not know how to ask is the child who is most likely to be influenced by the wicked child, so we must educate him so he is able to respond effectively to his co-religionist. This is implied by the language of the verse, “You shall tell it to your child on that day, saying, ‘It is because of this that the Lord did for me when I went forth from Egypt.’” The word “Saying,” (Laymor) implies, “You shall tell it to him on that day so he can say... Because of this that the Lord did for me…" (Exodus 13:8).
What is the connection between the consecration of the first born, the month of Aviv, the prohibition against idolatry, and the commandment to observe Passover?
This is a bit of a digression but one that is directly related to the theme of Passover.Exodus 13:8 follows the law of consecrating the first born (Exodus 13:1-2.) Moses then appears to change course and he reminds the people, “Remember the day on which you went forth from Egypt…in the month of Aviv.” The Torah then reminds the people to eat Matzah and to celebrate the feast of Passover. This same combination of themes and linguistic connections is also found in several other passages in the Torah:
In Exodus 23:10, the commandment to observe the three festivals is followed by the commandment to eat Matzah in the month of Abib, “for on it you went forth from Egypt.”
In Exodus 34:17-18, the commandment not to worship molten gods is followed by “You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread….at the set time in the month of Abib…you went forth from Egypt.”
In Deuteronomy 15:19-16:1, we find the law of consecrating all the firstlings followed by a similar passage, “Observe the month of Abib…God freed you from Egypt.”
The themes of the firstborn, the prohibition against idolatry, and the observance of Passover are connected to one another. Israel’s first Passover in Egypt was meant to be a repudiation of Egyptian idolatry. The Egyptians worshipped the Ram, the first of the astrological symbol in the signs of the Zodiac. By slaughtering the Passover lamb (i.e. the ram), we were showing our rejection of the gods of Egypt. God is the first among all firsts. Therefore, whenever we are told to consecrate the firstborn or the firstlings, the Torah follows the commandment with a reminder to observe Passover which was the first religious ceremony to celebrate the rejection of the cult of the firstborn. In the Torah the firstborn belong to God, yet another reminder that God is the first among all firsts. Similarly, spring was the time of year associated with the astrological symbol of the Ram. By celebrating Passover at this time of year and mentioning Abib in connection with this practice, we are reminded of the rejection of Egyptian idolatry.