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Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 12:04:23 -0400
From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Subject: Idolatry Prohibitions of Owning 3 Dimensional Figures

Just a quick HALACHIK comment on Florence Amit and Marty Auslanders
discussions of the place of Angelic Figuerines in Jewish Law. [BM1-51]

The idolatry prohibitions in Judaism are extremely severe. They are not
nullified because of lack of intention or other attributes that lead to
leniency in other areas of halachah.

There is a prohibition of making/owning 3 dimensional figures of people,
animals, celestial objects or supernal objects (like angels) The exact
delineation of these laws requires study and rabbinic consultation. The
intention of the purchaser or sculpturor is irrelevant.

Russell Jay Hendel; PHd ASA
Rhendel @ mcs drexel edu

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