Jewish warning against misguided hero worship...

Rabbinic thought generally rejects the concept of "hero worship" in favor of honoring individuals only as a means of honoring God and the Torah. Rabbinic explanations for what might be described as "misguided hero worship" tend to view it as a form of idolatry or a failure to recognize the fallibility of all human beings, including the greatest leaders.
Core Rabbinic Views
Honoring God vs. Honoring Flesh and Blood: The primary explanation is that while one may respect a wise or pious person, the honor is only valid if it is a means of honoring God, whose wisdom is reflected in that individual. True worship is reserved solely for God; elevating a person to a semi-divine status is seen as idolatrous.
Rejection of Idolatry: Judaism strictly prohibits idolatry (Avodah Zarah). The worship of any human being is considered a fundamental transgression. The founders of idol worship in ancient times were even seen as wise men who made a mistake, indicating how easily this error can occur.
All Humans Are Fallible: The Torah is candid about the faults and moral complexities of all its figures, including major prophets and sages like Moses and Abraham. This ensures that no person is placed on a pedestal as a demigod. Recognizing that everyone is human prevents the potential for misguided, unconditional admiration that ignores flaws.
Human Fallibility: Judaism emphasizes that even its greatest leaders, such as Moses and David, were human and had flaws, which the Torah candidly records. This transparency serves to prevent people from viewing leaders as perfect and thus discouraging hero worship. No human, no matter how great, is worthy of unwavering trust or praise that belongs only to the Divine.
Honoring God's Wisdom: When individuals are honored in Judaism (such as rabbis or teachers), it is not because "flesh and blood deserves honor," but because their study and devotion reflect the beauty of the Torah and the wisdom of God. The honor is directed toward the divine principles they embody, not the person themselves as an ultimate source of truth.
The Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination): Rabbinic literature identifies the yetzer hara (the evil inclination) as a fundamental force that drives humans toward sin, particularly idolatry. Misguided hero worship could be seen as a manifestation of this inclination, seeking an immediate, tangible source of spiritual gratification or leadership in a human instead of a direct, intimate relationship with God.
The Need for Tangible Connection: Some interpretations suggest that humans have a strong drive for spirituality but may struggle to connect with an abstract, infinite God. This can lead them to seek more immediate and tangible objects of worship, such as human leaders, or the "golden calf" in the biblical narrative.
Pride and Ego: The elevation of individuals, both by their followers and by themselves, can lead to personal and institutional pride (hubris). The person being worshipped can become so full of themselves that there is no room left for Godliness, leading to their downfall.
Ego and Downfall: An inflated ego often leads to personal defeat. Rabbinic texts emphasize humility and teach that placing a human on an unassailable pedestal often results in disappointment and a spiritual emptiness when their inevitable failures are revealed.
Potential for Misguidance
The potential for misguided worship is a known risk. The focus is always on the mitzvot (commandments) and the ethical life rather than the personality of a leader. Disagreement exists within different Jewish communities about what constitutes appropriate respect versus hero worship, as seen in discussions around certain Hasidic rebbes, for example. However, the normative rabbinic stance emphasizes that no one individual should be viewed as an intermediary to God