Idolatry

The prohibition against worshipping other gods is the second of the Ten Commandments, and one of the seven Noahide Laws, the laws the rabbis understood to be incumbent upon all non-Jews as well. That is, ideally, all the world recognizes God as the Creator and Master of the Universe. Nevertheless, worship of other gods is central to the dramatic relationship between God and Israel throughout the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible). Defining idolatry and ensuring that one does not inadvertently worship an idol or other god is the core of the mishnaic and talmudic tractates of Avodah Zarah.