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You shall not have any idols
before the Creator.
Although this command seems simple on the surface, it is, indeed, not all that simple. This is more than just a prohibition on religious icons. One of the primary reasons that the Creator of the universe is called "HaShem" [literally "the Name"] in Judaism is so as not to try to define or explain God. HaShem cannot be defined and any attempt to do so is, in itself, the creation of an idol. Though HaShem has sent messengers (both human and specially created beings -- sometimes called angels) he has never appeared in human form or any other form. Though many like to throw around terms like omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, etc., they really do not grasp the fullness of these concepts. For a fuller understanding, I highly recommend two excellent books by Rabbi David Aaron: Seeing God and The Secret Life of God. I have personally purchased several copies of these books and given them as gifts to my children and to friends.
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