What does the prohibition of "Lo Sa'aseh L'cha Pesel" entail?
Rashi, Ramban #1 (on Pasuk 3) 1 and Seforno: It entails refraining from manufacturing images 2 (even without intention to worship them - Seforno). 3
Ramban #2 (to 20:3): It is a continuation of "Lo Yih'yeh." 'Do not accept any deity other than Hashem, and do not make an image in order to serve it, 4 or bow down to or worship it in any way.'
Hadar Zekenim (in Pasuk 3) #1: It is a prohibition against making an image in Hashem's honor - since He cannot be seen. 5
Hadar Zekenim (in Pasuk 3) #2: It is a prohibition against making an image to remember Hashem after He has departed from Yisrael and is no longer visible - Since you will not see Me all the time, like the Nochrim do. 6
A plain Lo Sa'aseh that is not subject to Kareis. Refer to 20:3:2:1* 3
. Refer also to 20:3:2:1* . Oznayim la'Torah - Pasuk 3 (Refer to 20:3:2:3) referred to the first stage of Avodah Zarah - where people worshipped the celestial bodies which Hashem designated to rule over the world; whereas this Pasuk is referring to the second stage of idolatry, where people began to worship the images that they themselves manufactured.
Seforno: And the Torah writes "Lo Sishtachaveh Lahem" with reference to the entities in Heaven and on earth mentioned in the Pasuk.
Ramban: Which is punishable by Misah and Kareis. Refer also to 20:3:2:2. The La'av of manufacturing an image per se, we find later in Pasuk 22 of this Perek, in 34:17, and in Vayikra 26:1.
Hadar Zekenim (ibid.): In Parshas Va'eschanan, the Torah gives a reason for this - "Ki Lo Re'isem Kol Temunah, etc." (Devarim 4:15). Moreover, the Navi writes ,"v'El Mi Tedameyun Kel" (Yeshayah 40:18).
Hadar Zekenim (ibid.):Because future generations will attach divinity to the image.
Why does the Torah insert the (otherwise superfluous) word "Lo Sa'aseh L'cha Pesel "?
Sanhedrin 81a: To incorporate declaring oneself a god in the La'av 1 - and the means means to say 'Do not make yourself an image.'
Sanhedin (ibid.): Provided he is subsequently worshipped. See Torah Temimah, note 22.
What is the difference between "Pesel" and "Temunah"?
Rashi, Targum Onkelos and Targum Yonasan: "Pesel" is a carved image; "Temunah," a picture.
Mechilta: "Pesel" is a carved image - that protrudes; "Temunah," one that does not.
Avodah Zarah 43b: "Pesel" is an image that protrudes; 'Temunah,' one that is sunken.
What is the significance of the various levels of idolatry to which the Pasuk refers?
Ramban: After forbidding the worship of the angels (in the previous Pasuk), which exclusively, the Torah calls "Elohim Acherim," 1 the Torah goes on to forbid the worship of images of the celestial bodies, of the angels and of the demons, 2 with reference to the three types of idolatry that the people adopted through the ages. 3
Hadar Zekenim: It is a prohibition against making an image of angels that are above the Heaven, or of animals, birds, fish, the sun, moon or stars that are seen on the earth, or what is in the depth of water below the earth.
Avodah Zarah 43b: "Asher ba'Shamayim mi'Ma'al" refers to the sun, the moon, the stars and the Mazalaos (the constellations) and "mi'Ma'al," to the angels; "Asher ba'Aretz" refers to the seas, the rivers, the mountains and the hills; "mi'Tachas" to the little worms (which grow under the ground), and "va'Asher ba'Mayim mi'Tachas la'Aretz" refers to a 'Buvya' - a reflection (according to R. Akiva) or to a 'Shavriri' 4 (a water demon or a tiny creature that lives in the water). 5
