Idolatry is defined as worshipping false dieties or engaging in any activity pertaining to the worship of these dieties. One who worships another diety besides the Creator denies all of the Seven Laws of Noah, but one who strictly refrains from such Idolatry is one who keeps all of the Laws.
 
    Implied in this law is the belief in The One G-d, the L-rd and Creator of the Universe. One is obligated to believe that G-d is Omnipotent (all-powerful), Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipresent (everywhere at every time), Unknowable, and Infinite (without end in Time, Space, Consciousness, or beyond). One is required to recognize that nothing truly exists except G-d, and that there is nothing that is devoid of G-d. This is not, however the erroneous idea of pantheism, which states that G-d is just another term for Nature, or that G-d is the totality of the universe. These ideas are mythological and an attempt to relegate G-d into an image that mankind can fathom. In reality, the entire Universe and everything contained in it and even that which is not contained in it is all a Creation of G-d. The Universe and everything in it, including us, are, so to speak, a manifestation of G-d's creative power as it enfolds in our existence. If G-d ever ceased willing us to exist, we would immediately no longer exist.

    Bearing all of these things in mind, the prohibition against Idolatry becomes very clear. It is impossible to serve or worship anything in the Universe more than the One who creates it. It is likewise impossible to imagine trying to make an image that could describe G-d. No statue, picture, form, or image of any form could possibly be correct. There is in fact no way that we can concieve of G-d as He truly is in any shape, form, or fashion. All that we can truly know of Him is that He exists and for some reason has created us. In fact, there is no way for a human being, or even the highest angelic being, to complete the sentence "G-d is...". No matter what adjective you put into that sentence it will, so to speak, impose an imaginary limit upon Him. G-d is Unknowable, as stated above, therefore we will never be able to complete the sentence "G-d is...". We can, however, label G-d's manifest actions. We can say, for instance, that G-d is displaying His Love, or His Compassion, or even His Judgement, but these are only appropriations so that we can speak of Him.

    Also forbidden is the thought, G-d forbid, that the L-rd and Creator of All is somehow a Three-in-One G-d. G-d is the Ultimate Unity, the completely Indivisible, as the Bible very clearly states, "Hear, O' Israel, the L-rd our G-d, the L-rd is ONE." Deuteronomy 6:4 To think of Him in the mythological terms as the "Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost" is tantamount to Blasphemy.

    The Children of Noah are forbidden from bowing down to any idol, even if he/she does not believe in the idol or if it is done in jest. They are likewise forbidden to make any idol, even if it is merely for sale and the person doesn't intend to use it himself. Even one who considers an Idolatrous religion true, even though he does not worship the idol, is guilty of Blashpemy for denying the truth of the Living G-d.
 
    Food placed upon an altar as an offering to an idol is forbidden to be eaten, even if the person eating it does not worship the idol. One should likewise not purchase any incense or candles sold by a known idol worshipper, as it is possible that they were prepared or used in the worship of the idol. If a man were to even lift a stone and say, "This is my god" he is guilty of Idolatry, even if  it was only in jest.  If someone drops an item in front of an idol, or needs to pull a thorn from his foot in front of an idol, he should either sit down first or turn his back to the idol in order to perform the task. There can then be no question that he was bowing to the idol, and all who witness the act will acknowlege that he does not worship that idol.

    The three chief idolatrous images are that of a dragon, a full figure of a man offering something from the palm of his hand, or a woman nursing an infant. These figures are the most commonly seen idols in the world both today and throughout history.

    There are many laws concerning idolatry, and these are only the fundamental guidelines. For further information on this or any of the other Seven Laws, please see our Recommended Reading List.