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Drawing or Sculpting Forbidden Images: Difference between revisions

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# 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>
# Some argue that the prohibition not only includes constructing these entities, but possessing them, as well,<ref>Ran (Avodah Zarah 43b)</ref>, but others disagree.<ref>Tur (Yoreh Deah 141) as explained by Beit Yosef</ref>
# Some argue that the prohibition not only includes constructing these entities, but possessing them, as well,<ref>Ran (Avodah Zarah 43b)</ref>, but others disagree.<ref>Tur (Yoreh Deah 141) as explained by Beit Yosef</ref>
# The Ramban and others hold that it is prohibited to construct replicas of upper heavenly entities even if they are two-dimensional,<ref>Ramban, Rashba, Ritva (Avodah Zarah 43b and Rosh HaShanah 24b)</ref> but many disagree.<ref>Tosafot, Tur, Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 141:4)</ref>
# The Ramban and others hold that it is prohibited to construct replicas of upper heavenly entities even if they are two-dimensional,<ref>Ramban, Rashba, Ritva (Avodah Zarah 43b and Rosh HaShanah 24b)</ref> but many disagree.<ref>Tosafot, Tur, Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 141:4)</ref> Nevertheless, one should be strict on the matter.<ref>Taz (Yoreh Deah 141:12), Nehar Mitzrayim (Avodah Zarah 5)</ref>
# If one finds such an object, he may benefit from it but not keep it.<ref>Rama (Yoreh Deah 141:4), Shach (Yoreh Deah 141:24)</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. Although the Ramban and his Talmidim argue that two dimensional images should be permitted in this case, 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.
# 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. Although the Ramban and his Talmidim argue that two dimensional images should be permitted in this case, 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.