05-27-2019, 02:41 PM
There is quite a remarkable section from Prager's Exodus book covering the concept of false gods and idolatry. Chapter 20 is a long essay. But to quote what I think is the core of idolatry from the chapter.
"When anything is made an end in itself, rather than as a means to G-d and goodness (as defined, most especially, by the Ten Commandments), it is a false god...Therefore, in order for a thing or an idea to truly be a false god, people must not only make it an end in itself, they must believe it is a worthy and noble thing to live for. Genuine false gods are therefore often beautiful things people come to venerate as ends in and of themselves-things such as education, art, and even love and religion."
"When anything is made an end in itself, rather than as a means to G-d and goodness (as defined, most especially, by the Ten Commandments), it is a false god...Therefore, in order for a thing or an idea to truly be a false god, people must not only make it an end in itself, they must believe it is a worthy and noble thing to live for. Genuine false gods are therefore often beautiful things people come to venerate as ends in and of themselves-things such as education, art, and even love and religion."