Torah Portion: Yisro
Do not bow down to [other gods] (Shemos 20:5).
It is a negative commandment to not bow down to avodah zarah (idolatry) — avodah zarah is anything worshipped other than God, blessed is He; as it says, Do not bow down to [other gods] (Shemos 20:5).
The root of this commandment is obvious.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times to both men and women.
…and do not worship them (ibid.).
It is a negative commandment that we not worship any idol in the world by whatever means as those who believe in it customarily serve it, even if its service is by something disgraceful. For example, throwing a stone at Merculis (Mercurius) is idolatry because the way it is worshiped is by throwing stones at it. [Scripture thus] says: do not worship them [תעבדם], which means that we should not serve them in the way that it is usual to serve them, whatever form that might be.
The root of this commandment is obvious.
This commandment applies in all places and at all times to both men and women.
