Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Yoreh Deah/140

Contains eight Seif:

Here is a revised translation with improved flow and formatting:

All the images of idols that are found in forbidden villages are made for the sake of idolatry, and those found in permitted cities are certainly made for decoration (the author's wording), unless they stand at the entrance of the state (the wording of the Rambam, chapter 7 of the laws of idol worship) and it has in its hand the form of a stick, bird, ball, sword, crown, or ring.

Rema: The form of an idol to which they bow is considered like an idol and is forbidden without nullification, but those that are hung around the neck for remembrance are not considered an idol and are permitted (Mordechai, chapter on all idols in the name of Rabbi Yitzhak).

One who finds broken idols thrown away or among broken copper, or even broken idols themselves, is permitted to keep them. However, if he finds a mold of a hand or foot that is standing on its base, it is forbidden.

One who finds vessels with forms of the sun or moon:

Rema: This refers to forms made for the sun and moon, as those who create talismans make forms for stars, such as forms related to the sun depicting a crowned king sitting on a chariot, and similarly for the moon, which has a special form (Rambam in the commentary on the Mishnah and Bartenura there).

Or a dragon that resembles a snake and has fins between the vertebrae of the neck; if the vessels are esteemed, they are forbidden as they were certainly made for idols, and if they are despised, they are permitted as they were made only for decoration. The esteemed items include rings, nose rings, and coins (the G'ra, Mordechai, Agudah, Rosh, and Samag on prohibitions 92, and in the Beit HaBehira, and I also found in the Tosefta, chapter 7). Cups for hot drinks and glasses for drinking, whether they are below the water or above the water, are permitted in general, as we do not know that these vessels were worshipped. But those vessels that are known that they were not worshipped, that stand above the esteemed ones, are also permitted (according to the opinion of the Ran). There are those who say that any form that is worshipped is certainly forbidden even on the despised ones, even though we do not know that these vessels were worshipped. According to this, in this time when they engrave on vessels and depict idols, one who finds vessels that have idols is forbidden:

Rema: The custom follows the first opinion, and in this time when idol worshippers do not worship these forms, they are permitted for benefit if found, but they should not be stored (Tav, 16). There are those who are strict about all the mentioned forms, even though we know that they do not worship them (so it seems in the Tur and in Tosafot, chapter on all idols). The form of a dragon is permitted to make, but it is forbidden to keep it with him due to suspicion (B.Y. from the Rosh and the Tur).

It is forbidden to draw forms that are in the abode of the Divine Presence, such as four faces next to each other, and forms of seraphim, wheels, and ministering angels, as well as the form of a single person; all these are forbidden to make even if they are for decoration. If an idol worshipper made them for him, it is forbidden to keep them:

Rema: However, if one finds them, they are permitted except for the sun and moon, which it is the way of idol worshippers to worship, or if there is proof that they were made for worship, then it is forbidden like all idols, as explained at the beginning of the section (Tur).

These words apply to protruding forms, but for recessed forms, like those that are woven into fabric and those that are painted on walls with symbols, it is permitted to make them. The form of the sun and moon and stars is forbidden whether protruding or recessed, and if they are for learning to understand and teach, all are permitted even if protruding. (And there are those who permit it in the case of many, as there is no suspicion) (Tur in the name of the Rosh).

A ring that has a seal that is a form of a person; if the form is protruding, it is forbidden to leave it, but it is permitted to seal with it. If the form is recessed, it is permitted to leave it and forbidden to seal with it because leaving it will make the form protruding (the wording of the Rambam, chapter 3 of the laws of idol worship, law 11). Even if an idol worshipper sealed it for him, it is forbidden to keep it (this is also implied in Mordechai, chapter 25, and Tosafot). The same applies to other forbidden forms (in the Tur, and the Ran states this in the name of the Rif, and it is also implied in all the halachic authorities).

It is permitted to create forms of animals, birds, fish, trees, grass, and similar things, even if the form is protruding.

There are those who say that the prohibition on the form of a person and a dragon applies only to a complete form with all its limbs. However, a form of a head or a body without a head has no prohibition, neither for the one who finds it nor for the one who makes it. (And this is the common practice).

One should not make a house in the shape of a temple, according to its height, length, and width; a porch in the shape of a hall; a courtyard in the shape of a courtyard; a table in the shape of a table; a menorah in the shape of a menorah. However, one may make a menorah with five, six, or eight branches. But one should not make one with seven branches, even from other types of metals, and even without cups, knobs, and flowers, and even if it is not taller than eighteen handbreadths.