What is idolatry?

[GJB]

Worshiping statues? Nature? Ascribing power to a person or thing other than G-d?
What's your definition of idolatry? How do you prevent it?

The most challenging form of idolatry to avoid for myself is self worship.  The belief that I am the source of my bread is idolatry at its worst.  Being a successful businessman, or successful Rabbi, or a successful anything, can go to a person's head.  It can be challenging sometimes to remember and take to heart that your success and your strengths all come from Hashem.

As the man of my household, I am required by Jewish law to provide for my wife and our children (my wife is not required by Jewish law to do this).  As such, I find great meaning in the ritual act of reciting the blessing on the challah on Shabbat.  I earn the money my wife uses to go buy the ingredients for her challah.  She bakes it.  On Shabbat, Friday night and Saturday afternoon, I, the required breadwinner of our home, put both my hands on the challah and declare that this bread came from Hashem and my wife, who baked this challah, answers amein (along with all our children). My mouth, my hands, my wife and testify to Hashem being the source of our bread.

On Shabbat, I am refraining from doing 39 different categories of work in demonstration that G-d sustains us and that our efforts put into our jobs are a form of pray for sustenance from the King of all kings.  The fact that I can fulfill the positive commandment to rest on Shabbat while refraining from perform these creative acts of work, testifies to the belief that Hashem runs with world. If I did not believe in G-d, I would be aggravated from withholding for performing creative forms of work.