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Drawing or Sculpting Forbidden Images: Difference between revisions

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# If a shul has an electric menorah made with seven braches, the menorah should be kept as is, but menorah’s like that should not be made lechatchila. <Ref> [[Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef]] in Sh”t Yabia Omer Y”D 1:12, Sh”t Yechave Daat 3:61 (pg 194), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=10/5/2010 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com]. See Igrot Moshe YD 3:33.</ref>
# If a shul has an electric menorah made with seven braches, the menorah should be kept as is, but menorah’s like that should not be made lechatchila. <Ref> [[Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef]] in Sh”t Yabia Omer Y”D 1:12, Sh”t Yechave Daat 3:61 (pg 194), [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=10/5/2010 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com]. See Igrot Moshe YD 3:33.</ref>
==Sun, Moon, and Stars==
==Sun, Moon, and Stars==
# It is forbidden to draw a sun, moon, or stars whether the image is two dimensional or a three dimensional protruding image.<ref> The opinion of Tosfot Avoda Zara 43b s.v. veha citing Rabbenu Tam, Ri, and Riva is that the sun, moon, and stars may not be drawn even if they’re not protruding. Rosh A"z 3:5 and Rambam Avoda Zara 3:11 agree. The Shulchan Aruch YD 141:4 follows the opinion of the Rambam and Rosh. Chachmat Adam 85:5, Igrot Moshe OC 5:9:6, Halichot Olam (vol 7 pg 287), and [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=10/5/2010 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com] concur with Shulchan Aruch.
# It is forbidden to draw a sun, moon, or stars whether the image is two dimensional or a three dimensional protruding image.<ref> The opinion of Tosfot Avoda Zara 43b s.v. veha citing Rabbenu Tam, Ri, and Riva is that the sun, moon, and stars may not be drawn even if they’re not protruding. Rosh A"z 3:5 and Rambam Avoda Zara 3:11 agree. The Shulchan Aruch YD 141:4 follows the opinion of the Rambam and Rosh. Chachmat Adam 85:5, Igrot Moshe OC 5:9:6, Halichot Olam (vol 7 pg 287), and [http://www.dailyhalacha.com/Display.asp?ClipDate=10/5/2010 Rabbi Mansour on Dailyhalacha.com] concur with Shulchan Aruch. Taz 141:13 suggests that a two dimensional drawing of the sun is permitted.
* Ran a”z 19a quotes some who think that if it isn’t protruding it isn’t Biblical prohibition for any forbidden image. The Tzitz Eliezer 9:44:2 writes that some rishonim hold that it is permitted if it isn’t protruding and he writes that one should look in the Ramban, Ritva, and Meiri on A”z 43b.
* Ran a”z 19a quotes some who think that if it isn’t protruding it isn’t Biblical prohibition for any forbidden image. The Tzitz Eliezer 9:44:2 writes that some rishonim hold that it is permitted if it isn’t protruding and he writes that one should look in the Ramban, Ritva, and Meiri on A”z 43b.
* Rav Chaim Palagi in Ruach Chaim YD 141:2 asks how were they allowed to have a picture of the sun on the tombstone of Yehoshua like Rashi Yehoshua 24:30 writes? Tzitz Eliezer 9:44 answers that since the purpose was to make a kiddush Hashem and not for avoda zara it was permitted. The Tzitz Eliezer 9:44 answers that a non-Jew made it for them and there's no rabbinic issue of keeping it since it was in public (see Avoda Zara 43b).  
* Rav Chaim Palagi in Ruach Chaim YD 141:2 asks how were they allowed to have a picture of the sun on the tombstone of Yehoshua like Rashi Yehoshua 24:30 writes? Tzitz Eliezer 9:44 answers that since the purpose was to make a kiddush Hashem and not for avoda zara it was permitted. The Tzitz Eliezer 9:44 answers that a non-Jew made it for them and there's no rabbinic issue of keeping it since it was in public (see Avoda Zara 43b).  
</ref> Therefore, one shouldn’t teach children to draw the sun, moon, or stars.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 5:9:6 writes that once a child reached the age of chinuch they should be taught not to draw a picture of a sun, moon, or star. If their drawing is so inaccurate that most adults couldn’t tell what it was then it is permitted but still an adult shouldn’t teach children to draw that because they will grow up thinking that it is permitted and do so when their drawing skills improve.</ref>
</ref> Therefore, one shouldn’t teach children to draw the sun, moon, or stars.<ref>Igrot Moshe OC 5:9:6 writes that once a child reached the age of chinuch they should be taught not to draw a picture of a sun, moon, or star. If their drawing is so inaccurate that most adults couldn’t tell what it was then it is permitted but still an adult shouldn’t teach children to draw that because they will grow up thinking that it is permitted and do so when their drawing skills improve. [https://www.star-k.org/prev_questions Star-K] writes that perhaps making a cake in the shape of a sun (circle with cookie sticks as rays) is permitted since it isn't an accurate representation.</ref>
# Some say that it is forbidden to create a temporary image of a sun, moon, or stars.<ref>
# Some say that it is forbidden to create a temporary image of a sun, moon, or stars.<ref>Minchat Yitzchak 10:72 writes that it is forbidden to temporarily create the image of a sun or moon since it is considered an asiya (creation). See however Darkei Teshuva 141:27.</ref>
Minchat Yitzchak 10:72 writes that it is forbidden to temporarily create the image of a sun or moon since it is considered an asiya (creation).</ref>
 
==Symbols of Other Religions==
==Symbols of Other Religions==
# It is permitted to use and look at a stamp with a cross on it.<Ref>Igrot Moshe YD 1:69 writes that it isn't considered a violation of Al Tifnu El Haelilim to use a stamp with a cross on it. His reasons are: 1) Since the images are just used for decorations and not actually for religious purposes it is permitted to look at them (Tosfot Shabbat 149). 2) Since it is used all the time a person is used to that symbol (Tosfot Avoda Zara 50). 3) It isn't an deity it is just a symbol to remind them of their deity. 4) Since the stamps are disgraced by being marked up and also being thrown out that isn't considered something a person would worship.</ref>
# It is permitted to use and look at a stamp with a cross on it.<Ref>Igrot Moshe YD 1:69 writes that it isn't considered a violation of Al Tifnu El Haelilim to use a stamp with a cross on it. His reasons are: 1) Since the images are just used for decorations and not actually for religious purposes it is permitted to look at them (Tosfot Shabbat 149). 2) Since it is used all the time a person is used to that symbol (Tosfot Avoda Zara 50). 3) It isn't an deity it is just a symbol to remind them of their deity. 4) Since the stamps are disgraced by being marked up and also being thrown out that isn't considered something a person would worship.</ref>
# According to many poskim if a person is given a medallion with a cross on it as an honor it is permitted to wear it when visiting a government or Church official.<ref>Rav Ovadia in Yechava Daat 3:65 permits wearing a medallion with a cross on it that was given to a person as an honor. He begins with the Rama YD 141:1 who writes that crosses are permitted in benefit since they're not avoda zara themselves. Although the Shach limits this to a case where you knew it wasn't worshiped but in general you have to assume that they were worshiped Rav Ovadia says that the Shach's concern doesn't apply to medallions. He also cites the Zera Emet 2:45 and Rav Chaim Palagi in Lev Chaim 3:100 who say that a jewelry with a cross isn't usually worshiped and can be worn if necessary.</ref>
# It is permitted to have and use a chess set even though the king piece has a cross on it.<ref>Rav Asher Bush in Shoel Bshlomo 1:60:2. His proofs are:
# Tosfot A"z 50 and Shabbat 149 by using coins with religious symbols on them say that they are muter since they are for decorative purposes and they are used all the time. Igrot Moshe YD 1:69 cites these Tosfots.
# He also cites Rav Ovadia in Yechava Daat 3:65 who permits wearing a medallion with a cross on it for the same reasons. He has many proofs but for one the Rama YD 141:1 who says crosses are muter bhanah if they weren't worshiped since they're not a"z themselves. Although the Shach 141:6 says you have to assume that they were worshiped but Rav Ovadia quotes the Zera Emet 2:45 who says that doesn't apply to medallions.
# He lastly cites Ritva A"Z 42b that crosses on cups are for decorative purposes and are permitted.</ref>


==Human Images==
==Human Images==