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=Non Idolatrous Images= | =Non Idolatrous Images= | ||
# Lo Taasun Itti:<ref>Shemot 20:20, Avodah Zarah 43ab, Rosh HaShanah 24b, Rambam (Sefer HaMitzvot, Lo Taaseh 4), Sefer HaChinuch 39, Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah </ref> The Torah prohibits constructing objects that replicate Hashem's "servants" even if it is not for idolatry but rather for décor. | |||
# "Servants" includes: | |||
## Inhabitants of the upper abode (Mador HaElyon) - Malachei HaSharet, Ofanim, Serafim, and Chayot HaKodesh (the four faces - a human, eagle, bull, and lion), | |||
## Inhabitants of the lower abode (Mador HaTachton) - sun, moon, and mazalot | |||
## Humans<ref>The Sefer HaChinuch 39 explains that this is because only Hashem can create Man and instill intellect into him.</ref> | |||
## The Beit HaMikdash and its vessels | |||
# The Gemara presents three limits to this prohibition, which enable one to possess such an object if not make it as well: when it's made by somebody else (a Non-Jew), when it's made of many parts,<ref>the Ritva (Avodah Zarah 43b) surmises that one can even make it himself if it's in many parts, but he concludes stringently. Minchat Chinuch 39:2 opines that this is a standalone answer and it's permissible for one to even put the pieces together himself, most probably because they don't fit together so tightly.</ref> and when it's made for instructional purposes. Some accept all three answers,<ref>Rosh, Ran (Avodah Zarah 43b), Rama (Yoreh Deah 141:4)</ref> while others only accept the final answer.<ref>The Rif only quotes the final answer of Lehitlamed/Lehavin ul'horot (instructional purposes). Although the Rambam (Hilchot Avodah Zarah 3:11) omits all three of them, which leave the Kesef Mishneh confused. The Ran understands that he accepts the final one, but the Minchat Chinuch 39:2 thinks it's obvious that the Rambam accepts all three. Ultimately, Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 141:4) rules only like the lehitlamed answer, but the Rama fills the other two back in.</ref> | |||
==Angels and Other Heavenly Entities== | ==Angels and Other Heavenly Entities== | ||
# The Torah prohibits constructing replicas of angelic beings such as Malachei HaSharet, Ofanim, Serafim, and Chayot HaKodesh (the four faces - a human, eagle, bull, and lion).<ref>See Tosafot 43b the other Rishonim ad loc, Minchat Chinuch 39:3, and Iggerot Moshe (Yoreh Deah 2:55) at length regarding the overlap between Chayot and humans.</ref> | # The Torah prohibits constructing replicas of angelic beings such as Malachei HaSharet, Ofanim, Serafim, and Chayot HaKodesh (the four faces - a human, eagle, bull, and lion).<ref>See Tosafot 43b the other Rishonim ad loc, Minchat Chinuch 39:3, and Iggerot Moshe (Yoreh Deah 2:55) at length regarding the overlap between Chayot and humans.</ref> |