129. Other Forms of Service

Avodas Kochavim 3:5

If someone serves an idol in its usual manner, he is liable. This is the case even if he served the idol in a disparaging fashion. For example, if one relieves himself in front of Peor in order to denigrate it, or if he throws a stone at Mercury in order to denigrate it, he is liable since this is the idol’s usual manner of service. In such a case, the offender must bring a sacrifice because this was an unintentional violation.

Avodas Kochavim 3:6

Let’s say that a person serves an idol out of love, such as if he finds its service attractive, or he serves it out of fear, such as he fears that the idol has the ability to harm him. In such a case, if he accepts it as a god, he is liable to the penalty of stoning. If he serves the idol in its usual fashion or in one of the four ways reserved for God, he would not be liable.

If a person embraces an idol, kisses it, mops or sweeps up in front of it, washes or anoints it, dresses or puts shoes on it, or performs any other act honoring it, he violates the Torah prohibition of “Do not serve them” (Exodus 20:5). Acts like these are also considered forms of service but he is not liable for the penalty of lashes because these types of service are not explicit in the Torah. If one of these forms of honor is the idol’s usual manner of worship, then one who performed such an act as a form of worship would be liable.