Dear Rabbi Fried,

In my younger days, I was a sculptor, and sculpted a number of images of people. I have now become more observant, and have learned one should not create graven images of people and some animals. I don’t plan to create any more of them, but am I allowed to hold on to the ones I already have?

Chana B.K.

Dear Chana,

The Torah does, in fact, prohibit sculpting the image of a human being, as well as certain other images. This is implicit in a number of verses; see Exodus 20:3-6, Leviticus 26:1, Numbers 33:52, Deuteronomy 4:16-19 and 27:15. Although these verses are associated with idol worship, the Torah is clearly forbidding the creation of such objects even when they are not expressly for the sake of worship, as outlined in the “Code of Jewish Law” (Y.D. 141:4-7).

There are distinctions among objects depicted in sculptures which make a difference in what the Torah prohibits. To depict the sun, moon and stars is forbidden even though there’s no actual “thickness” (i.e. three dimensions) to the sculpture, such as a painting, or even a photograph, according to contemporary authorities. This is because our eye, when seeing these heavenly bodies, does not detect three dimensions. So when the Torah prohibits “images of the heavenly bodies,” those images include even a two-dimensional portrayal.

A two-dimensional portrayal of a human being, however, is permitted. This is because we see, when looking at an actual human being, three dimensions. It is, therefore, only considered an “image” of a human being when the sculpture is three-dimensional. This explains why we see paintings and portraits of great rabbis, as most rabbinical authorities allow a two-dimensional portrayal.

Based on the above, to create a sculpture of a human being, which is three-dimensional, is prohibited. To do so would transgress the second of the Ten Commandments. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. The Shach, a principal commentary to the “Code of Jewish Law,” rules that this prohibition applies only to a complete image (ibid, para. 25). This would be a human image with both eyes, a nose, mouth, hands and feet. According to the Shach, to create a bust from the shoulders up would be permitted. This is not, however, universally accepted, as the Code prohibits using ring-stamps which leave a graven image of the head alone.

If the sculptures you are referring to are of the entire body, all opinions would agree that it should not be done. To own them, however, is a different question. The prohibition to own them is a rabbinical enactment, because it looks as though you own idols. Many authorities have ruled that today, since in our society these images are not worshipped and nobody would think you own idols, this rabbinical prohibition would not apply (Vilna Gaon, ibid. 21; Chochmas Adam 96:6, Igros Moshe Y.D. 2:55). Based upon these authorities, you are permitted to own these once you already have them, although to create them or purchase them is forbidden. (There are those who are stringent to mutilate them slightly in some way, such as a finger, etc, to fulfill the dissenting opinion that the prohibition applies in our times, as in earlier times, to own them as well.)

It’s good you raised this question, as it pertains to the most basic concepts of Jewish law, the Ten Commandments.

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