False Powers, True Source: Elokim Acheirim in Faith, Self, and Marriage

Lo Yihiye Lecha Elohim Acheirim — You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me

This post is part of a series exploring the Aseres Hadibros and their application to our three core relationships. 

When we think of avodah zarah- idolatry, we often imagine something ancient and far away. But the second dibur isn't just warning us about golden calves or carved images. It’s inviting us to take a closer look at the forces we give power to in our own lives. Whether in how we relate to Hashem, ourselves, or our closest relationships, we’re constantly navigating what we give our energy, time, and belief to.

This commandment is more than a prohibition. It’s a gentle confrontation. What have you made into your 'god'? What are you serving without even realizing it?

Let’s explore.

There’s a striking irony in the second dibur. Hashem declares: "Lo yihiye lecha elokim acheirim al panai" - You shall have no other gods before Me.

But the word used here- elokim, is one of Hashem’s own names. Shouldn’t a different word be used for something so clearly false?

We touched on this in the first dibur, the power of names. Each name of Hashem reveals something about how He shows up in the world. So why would the name Elokim- associated with power, nature, judgment, be used for something that isn’t Him at all?

Because elokim means powers. Forces. Influences. And the truth is, there are many powerful things in this world. Things that feel real, that command our attention, that seem worthy of devotion.

Our job isn’t to pretend those powers don’t exist. It’s to see through them. To recognize the Source behind the source. To notice the illusion, and still choose the One who animates it all.

Let’s explore what this means in our three core relationships: with Hashem, with ourselves, and with our spouse.

G-D: Seeing Through the Illusion

The world is full of powers. Nature. Wealth. Influence. Even people. But Judaism doesn’t ask us to deny their impact, it asks us to trace them back to their source.

There’s nothing wrong with working within the systems Hashem put into place. Natural laws, healthy effort, practical channels- they all serve a purpose. But only if we remember what they are: channels, not sources.

Because even within the framework of teva, the Jew lives lemala min hateva- above nature, by recognizing Who set it in motion.

Elokim acheirim happens when we stop at the surface. When we give our hearts to the vessel instead of the light flowing through it.

Try This: Take a moment this week to notice what you reflexively turn to for security, comfort, or validation. Is it a person? A habit? A form of success? Now ask yourself: can I see this as a channel, not a source? Can I trace it back to the One who powers it all? 

SELF: Rewriting the Story

We all have inner stories that take on power: I’ll never get there. This is just how I am. I always mess things up.

These narratives might feel legitimate. They may even have history behind them. But when we believe them without question, they become elokim acheirim- false powers dictating our reality.

It feels as though I’ve been having this conversation on repeat lately around trauma, identity, and growth. Is trauma legitimate? Absolutely. But is it the ultimate authority on who you are? That depends. Trauma can be a guide or a weight. A teacher or a tyrant. It depends on whether we treat it as Elokim- a truth that leads us to the Source, or as elokim acheirim- a false power that buries us beneath the story.

The work? Not to deny your story. But to stop worshipping it.

Try This: Identify one old belief that’s been running the show—something like "I’ll never get there" or "This is just how I am". Then try rewriting it. Choose a version that aligns with your current growth, not your past fear. Let your new narrative reflect where you're going, not where you've been.

SPOUSE: Choosing What Matters Most

In marriage, there are endless things competing for our attention: work, kids, errands, WhatsApp notifications. And many of them are legitimate. Important, even.

But when everything becomes urgent, nothing is sacred. Elokim acheirim in marriage looks like falling for the illusion that anything else matters more than the bond you’re building together.

Relationships don’t run on autopilot. They require intention. Presence. Time.

That’s one of the quiet gifts of Taharas Hamishpacha. It forces us to pause. To reconnect. To make time in the busiest, most demanding years, not just for logistics, but for love.

Try This: Carve out ten minutes today just for presence. No agenda, no phone. Just the two of you, remembering what matters. Or take it further: schedule time this week to invest in your connection. Not because it’s convenient, but because it’s sacred.

In every area of life, there will be things that seem powerful. But the question is: will you stop at the facade? Or will you trace it back to the One who powers it all?

Because real freedom - real connection- begins when we stop bowing to the story and start living from the Source.