Friday 2 December 2016

halacha - Is idolatrous belief forbidden for Jews, or just idolatrous practices?


Suppose a Jew believes that there are multiple gods, but he does not worship them in any way. Is this a violation of the prohibition against idolatry for Jews?


We see from this answer that similar belief for gentiles does not constitute idolatry. Only the worship of other gods makes one guilty of idolatry. Is the same true for Jews, or does simple belief in the existance of multiple gods make a Jew idolatrous?



Answer



It is forbidden. I have included relevant snippets, but it's best if you read the whole thing.


Rambam Avodah Kochavim Chapter 2


Halacha 3




The worship of false gods is not the only subject to which we are forbidden to pay attention; rather, we are warned not to consider any thought which will cause us to uproot one of the fundamentals of the Torah. We should not turn our minds to these matters, think about them, or be drawn after the thoughts of our hearts.


....


What is implied? There are times when a person will stray after star worship, and times when he will wonder about God's oneness: Perhaps He is one, perhaps He is not?


...


This prohibition - though [severe,] causing a person to be prevented [from attaining a portion] in the world to come - is not punishable by lashes.



Halacha 6



Whoever accepts a false god as true, even when he does not actually worship it, disgraces and blasphemes [God's] glorious and awesome name.




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