The Torah commands in Parashat Ekeb (Debarim 7:26), “Ve’lo Tabi To’eba El Betecha” – “You shall not bring an abomination into your home.” This refers to Aboda Zara – objects of pagan worship, and this verse establishes a prohibition against bringing such an article into one’s possession with the intention of deriving benefit from it. For example, if a person cuts down an Ashera tree – a type of tree that was worshipped by ancient pagans – and brings the logs into his home for use as firewood, he transgresses this prohibition. The Sefer Ha’hinuch makes a remarkable comment about this prohibition, asserting that the word “To’eba” (“abomination”) refers also to ill-begotten gains, money which one earned through theft, deception, dishonesty, or any other forbidden means. Just as it is forbidden to bring an object of idol worship into one’s home, because such an article is considered “abominable,” it is likewise forbidden to bring into one’s home money obtained in ways that the Torah prohibited. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that the Yeser Ha’ra (evil inclination) is referred to as an “Aboda Zara,” and thus by bringing into one’s home assets acquired as a result of the Yeser Ha’ra, one is considered as though he brings objects of idol worship into his home. The Gemara, as the Sefer Ha’hinuch cites, teaches that one does not enjoy blessings from money earned through forbidden means, and, in fact, “Peruta Shel Ribit Mechaleh Kama Oserot Shel Mammon” – a single coin of forbidden interest that one receives has the effect of destroying entire treasure houses of money which was gained permissibly. This prohibition applies in all times and places, and is binding upon both men and women. One who brings an object of pagan worship into his home to derive benefit from it transgresses this prohibition and is liable to Malkut. As we will see in a later installment in this series, there is a separate prohibition – “Ve’lo Yidbak Be’yadecha Me’uma Min Ha’herem” (Debarim 13:18) – against deriving benefit from objects of idol worship. Therefore, one who brings an object of worship into his home and derives benefit from it is liable to two sets of Malkut.