(Mishnah): One who serves idolatry [is Chayav Misah], whether he serves it (this will be explained), or whether he is Zove'ach, Maktir, Menasech or Mishtachaveh (slaughters, burns, pours libations or bows), and one who accepts it as a god, and says 'you are my god';

However, one who hugs or kisses (an idol), sweeps or sprays (water to prevent dust from rising) around it, washes, anoints, dresses, or puts shoes on it, he transgresses a Lav;

One who vows or swears in the name of idolatry transgresses a Lav.

One who is Po'er (exposes his anus) in front of [Ba'al] Pe'or, this is its Avodah. One who throws a rock at Markulis, this is its Avodah.

Note: Most Meforshim say that "Po'er" includes excreting in front of it.

(Gemara): What is the Lav against serving idolatry? "Lo Sa'avdem."

What is the source for Kares? "Es Hash-m Hu Megadef v'Nichresah."

Question: Is that not written about blasphemy?!

Answer: It is like one who tells his friend "you swept the entire bowl, and did not leave anything in it." (Idolatry is the ultimate disgrace to Hash-m.)

R. Shimon ben Lazar said, a parable for this is two men who were sitting, and a bowl of grits was in front of them. One of them stretched out his hand and swept the entire bowl, and did not leave anything in it. So one who blasphemes or serves idolatry, he does not leave over a Mitzvah.

What is the source for punishment? It says "v'Hotzeisa Es ha'Ish ha'Hu Oh Es ha'Ishah ha'Hi El She'arecha; U'Skaltam ba'Avanim va'Mesu."

Suggestion: "Lo Sa'avdem" connotes that he is liable only if he served every idolatry in the world!

Answer: It says "Lo Sishtachaveh Lahem." Bowing was in the Klal ("Lo Sa'avdem"). Why did it leave [to be taught by itself]? This is to equate to it - just like bowing is a lone action and one is liable for it by itself, so I include every action in it (idolatry). One is liable for it by itself.

Implied question: R. Shimon ben Elazar says that if one slaughtered, burned, poured libations in one Helam, he is liable only once!

Answer: He agrees that if one served it in its Avodah, and an Avodah of Hash-m [of Hakravah] or the Avodah of bowing, he is liable for each one (since different Lavim forbid these - Lo Sa'avdem, and Lo Sishtachaveh).

Correction: When R. Shmuel said in the name of R. Zeirah [that a Lav for serving idolatry through Avodos done for Hash-m] is "v'Lo Yizbechu Od Es Zivcheihem la'Se'irim", he told him "turn it to Kodshim." (It discusses Shechutei Chutz, and not idolatry. One is liable for Avodos of Hash-m only due to Lo Sishtachaveh.)