Embracing the Eternal Commandment: "You Shall Have No Other Gods"

One of the eternal commandments is: "You shall have no other gods," meaning: do not believe in other gods. This prohibition includes believing in any forces in the universe other than Hashem.

Rabbi Nach Weinberg explains that this is a commandment not to do, but it is eternal. If the command "You shall not believe in other gods" is an eternal command, it follows that the temptation to believe in other gods is also perpetual.

"Why is the temptation always present?" asks Rabbi Weinberg, noting that even in Psalms, King David instructs: "You shall have no other god among you." What kind of alien god resides within humans?

In the *Shabbat* (K. 5, b) tractate, our sages point out that the phrase "alien god" refers to the evil inclination – the propensity for self-destruction that exists within all people, the tendency to stray from Hashem. The evil inclination constantly tries to distract us from the truth that Hashem is the only force in the universe.

The term "forces of the universe" includes everything we believe contributes to our success. The *Rambam* explains that idol worship does not begin and end with a single action, but is a process. In ancient times, when idol worship had a deeply spiritual intention, people would carve a piece of wood and call it "the god of the sun," their original intention being to worship Hashem as the creator of the sun. However, it wasn't long before the purpose for which the idols were made was forgotten, leaving people to worship the sun itself. At this point, they began to believe in a power other than Hashem as a source of strength and salvation.

"People start their journey with clarity, but then something happens, and their focus shifts away from what truly matters," Rabbi Weinberg explains, noting that today, when idol worship in its original form does not pose a problem, it is still common to believe that money, fame, honor, possessions, or beauty can satisfy us and fill our lives with happiness. This, in essence, is idol worship!

"Moreover," Rabbi Weinberg continues, "today we face an even greater challenge: should we attribute our success to Hashem or to ourselves?

Only through the power granted to me by Hashem can I achieve even the simplest tasks

The thought that we do everything ourselves is a belief in other forces besides Hashem. This has destructive consequences, as when we attribute power to ourselves, we hinder our abilities to achieve more. Rabbi Weinberg explains this by saying, "Whenever something is too hard or painful for us, we say: 'I can't.' We conclude that 'everything I've done up to now, I've done by my own power, and what is being asked of me now – to change the world, to improve my character – is impossible.'

This indicates that when people stop trying, it's because they believe in the 'alien god' within them, in the evil inclination that says: 'Everything depends on me. Nothing can be done without me.'

A person must understand that the phrase "I can't" is incredibly accurate. It is the truth: "I" cannot do everything. Only through the power granted to me by Hashem can I carry out even simple tasks, such as tying my shoelaces!

"Do not believe that attributing your achievements to yourself will give you the strength to take on further tasks. On the contrary: it will cause you to become discouraged more quickly. Conversely, when we understand that all we achieve is a gift from Hashem, it strengthens us and provides us with the knowledge that there is no limit to what we can achieve. When the creator of the universe stands behind us, there is no basis for saying 'I can't,'" explains Rabbi Weinberg.

Rabbi Weinberg adds that this is why it is an eternal commandment: "It requires tremendous effort to avoid saying 'Look what I've done, look who I am...' If you attribute everything you've accomplished to yourself, your connection with Hashem diminishes."

How ridiculous it is to take pride in oneself, and why

Rabbi Weinberg invites readers to examine three areas where people unjustifiably attribute to themselves:

1. Natural abilities.

2. Achievements.

3. Goodness.

In his special way, Rabbi Weinberg addresses these three points and clarifies how ridiculous it is to take pride in them.

1. Attributing natural abilities to ourselves

Imagine someone saying to you: "Raise one hand, and I will prove to you how successful I am: I will tell you whether it's your right hand or left hand."

"Excuse me?! You want to impress me with your vision?" Rabbi Weinberg exclaims, clarifying that "as ridiculous as it sounds, sometimes people attribute to themselves inborn natural abilities. A genius tends to think he is superior to others. But is he better than a person with perfect eyesight in a room full of people wearing glasses? Or, when you are sick, have a fever, and your teeth feel tight, and your friend says: 'I am never sick, I am as strong as steel!' Excuse me?!

"Beautiful or intelligent people often tend to be arrogant because society emphasizes these qualities. We are not saying that beautiful people should become ugly. But why attribute to ourselves something we did not work for and earn?" Rabbi Weinberg surprises and concludes: "Do not allow your natural abilities to make you arrogant. Instead, thank Hashem for this gift."

*Humility can lead a person to joy, faith, and peace of mind. How does one achieve this trait? Rabbi Yigal in a wonderful lecture:*

2. Attributing achievements to ourselves

"Imagine someone tells you: 'You won't believe what I achieved today. I opened my mailbox and found a check for a million dollars. Uncle Nachman passed away and left me his estate. I cashed the check, and now I am a millionaire. Isn't that amazing?'" Rabbi Weinberg recounts, astonished, "What is he so proud of? He did nothing to earn that million dollars!"

"We do the same when we 'claim' our potential for ourselves. When we use our natural talents to achieve something, it sounds reasonable. But it's just like cashing a million-dollar check.

"An artist, brain surgeon, and musician all use talents given to them by Hashem to 'cash in' their careers. Without the talent given by Hashem to paint, a steady hand for performing surgeries, or a musical ear, they wouldn't be able to achieve anything," Rabbi Weinberg continues his illustration. "Of course, to achieve results, one must exert some effort. But the raw materials and the circumstances that enable their use are all provided to us by Hashem."

"It’s very tempting to say: 'Look what I've done,'" Rabbi Weinberg resonates, noting that "doing so would mean taking credit for a check we cashed. Instead, thank Hashem for the opportunity you were given."

3. Wow, where did you get that car?

Rabbi Weinberg addresses the third point, which is the most arrogant pride of all, where we say: "Look how good I am. I do the right thing." This is similar to someone saying to you: "Do you know how wonderful I am? I had an incredible urge to cut off my nose. It was an awful urge, like none other, and I stood there, with a knife against my nose. I fought the urge over and over. Finally, I overcame the impulse and threw away the knife. Aren't I an amazing person?"

"You’re proud of yourself?!" Rabbi Weinberg wonders, "You’re crazy! You did something good for yourself only!"

"This is exactly like a person who takes pride in being good. What are you taking credit for? You simply refrained from harming yourself.

Imagine a young man who enrolls in Harvard, the most prestigious university in the world. His parents pay $20,000 a year for this excellent education. But the guy drinks to excess, sleeps late, doesn’t study, and fails his exams. His desperate father tries to make a deal with him: for an average score of 8, he will get a new BMW. The kid wants that car so badly that he studies and manages to achieve an average score of 8. Now he drives his new car around campus, and one of his friends says: 'Wow, where did you get that car?'

"'As a reward for my achievements in studies,' the spoiled young man replies.

"What?" Rabbi Weinberg exclaims in astonishment, "He worked hard for himself to obtain a good education! Yes, the car was an incentive, but if he had understood how significantly important the good education he was receiving was, it would have served him as sufficient motivation."

"When we do good deeds, we are doing something positive. People strive for meaning and the pleasures of the spirit. Through the commandments, Hashem provides us with the ability, the motivation, and the ultimate reward. All we have to do is use the power Hashem gave us and take advantage of the opportunity," concludes Rabbi Weinberg.

"One way to avoid misplaced pride is to view your achievements in the correct proportions. This is similar to a person who buys a dilapidated building from the city for $10,000. He spends another $10,000 leveling the ground and then sells it as a parking lot for $80,000. The man is completely thrilled. He can’t stop boasting about being such a successful businessman. Then he hears that the owner of the parking lot sold the land to the owner of a mall for $10 million!!!

"Now, picture how he feels. Will he continue to boast and take pride in being a successful businessman?" Rabbi Weinberg asks, explaining that "When we feel pride for giving charity, honoring our parents, or learning Torah, we resemble that person who brags about selling the parking lot. When we reach a higher understanding and realize how much we could achieve, only then will we know and understand that our accomplishments are but a drop in the bucket. Instead of feeling pride, we'll feel regret.

Rabbi Zamir Cohen in a brief and special conversation explains the concept of humility:

Are you fulfilling the commandment? Here are 4 signs to check

"Are we supposed to enjoy what we've done? Of course! But not to the point where we feel indulgent and complacent, forgetting our true potential," Rabbi Weinberg continues, urging: "Look at your achievements in the right perspective, and never stop focusing on what you can still achieve. You can never be certain that you have done even a small part of what can still be done."

"Even if Hashem is responsible for everything happening in the world, He created it so that we must exert some effort within it. This is a delicate balance. We must work to earn a living, but at the same time, we must understand that Hashem is the one providing for us. The thought that hard work alone will make you rich is akin to believing in other gods," Rabbi Weinberg continues to elaborate on the eternal commandment we are commanded: not to believe in other gods.

"The question is, how much effort should we invest so that something occurs, and how much should we rely on the creator of the world to make it happen? This issue is known as 'effort versus trust.' If Hashem wants me to become wealthy, I will. If He wishes me to become poor, I will. What is my role in this system?

"The effort (or endeavor) required differs from person to person. The effort that suits one person might be entirely inappropriate for another. It varies depending on an individual's level of trust in Hashem.

"When it comes to commandments and good deeds, how much effort should we exert? We should strive with limitless effort.

"The *Talmud* (Pirkei Avot 5:26) says: 'According to the pain is the reward.' In other words, for every effort you make to fulfill a commandment, you receive a reward. So, go all out! Even if it seems to you that you will never achieve your goal, it won’t hurt to try. You never know... Hashem could perform a miracle to help you reach what seems impossible.

In conclusion, Rabbi Weinberg enumerated several signs that will allow each of us to check whether we fulfill the commandment "You shall have no other gods":

1. If you are humble.

2. If you do not need to grapple with your ego.

3. If you understand that everything is a gift from Hashem.

4. If you understand that ultimately, you have no power by yourself.

The ultimate purpose in life is to reach an understanding that there is no other power but Hashem, and that all of our achievements stem from His will. This is the essence of the commandment "You shall not believe in other gods," and it is an eternal commandment because we must always combat the evil inclination.

"May we have the strength and clarity of thought to overcome it and fulfill what is stated in the book of *Deuteronomy* (8:18): 'And you shall remember Hashem your God, for it is He who gives you the power to prosper,'" Rabbi Weinberg concludes his marvelous essay.

To read the first article in the series, click here.