Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Yoreh Deah/141

Containing eight Seif.

All idols of idol worship found in villages are prohibited, as they are made for the sake of idols, while those found in cities are permitted, as they are certainly made for decoration (the author's wording), unless they stand at the entrance of the state (as stated by Maimonides in Chapter 7 of the Laws of Idol Worship). The form may be that of a stick, a bird, a ball, a sword, a crown, or a ring.

Rema: The form of an object that is bowed to is treated like an idol and is prohibited unless nullified, but those that are hung around the neck for remembrance are not considered idols 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 among the broken idols themselves is permitted to keep them. However, if one finds a mold of a hand or foot that is still on its base, it is prohibited.

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

Rema: This refers to forms made for the sun and moon, such as those created by practitioners of talismans, depicting celestial bodies. For example, forms related to the sun depict a crowned king sitting on a chariot, and similarly for the moon, which has a special form (Maimonides in the Commentary on the Mishnah and Bartenura there).

Or a dragon, which resembles a snake and has fins between the vertebrae of its neck. If the vessels are esteemed, they are prohibited, as they were certainly made for the sake of idols. If they are despised, they are permitted, as they were made only for decoration. Esteemed items include jewelry, rings, and ornaments, while despised items include coins (according to the G'ra, Mordechai, Agudah, Rosh, and Semag, as well as in the Tosefta, Chapter 7).

Vessels for hot water and cups used for drinking, whether they are submerged in water or above it, are all permitted in general, as we do not know that these vessels were used for idol worship. However, it is known that these esteemed vessels are also permitted (according to the opinion of the Ran). Some say that any form that is worshipped is certainly prohibited, even if it is among the despised, even if we do not know that these vessels were used for idol worship. According to this view, in our time, when they engrave idols on vessels, one who finds vessels with idols is prohibited.

Rema: The custom follows the first opinion, and in our time, when idol worshippers do not worship these forms, they are permitted for benefit if found, but they should not be kept (Taz 16). There are those who are stringent regarding all the mentioned forms, even though we know they do not worship them (this is implied in the Tur and in Tosafot, Chapter on All Idols). The form of a dragon is permitted to create, but it is prohibited to keep it due to suspicion (B.Y. from the Rosh and the Tur).

It is prohibited to draw forms that are in the domain of the Divine Presence, such as four faces next to each other, as well as forms of seraphim, wheels, and ministering angels, and the form of a single human. All these are prohibited to create, even for decoration. If an idol worshipper made them for him, it is prohibited to keep them.

Rema: However, if one finds them, they are permitted, except for the sun and moon, which idol worshippers typically make, or if there is evidence that they were made for idol worship, in which case they are prohibited like all idols, as explained at the beginning of the section (Tur).

This applies to raised forms, but for sunken forms, like those woven into fabric or painted on walls with designs, it is permitted to create them. The forms of the sun, moon, and stars are prohibited whether raised or sunken. If they are for learning, understanding, and teaching, all are permitted, even if raised. (And some 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 depicting a human form, if the form is raised, it is prohibited to leave it, but it is permitted to seal with it. If the form is sunken, it is permitted to leave it, but it is prohibited to seal with it, as leaving it will make the form raised (according to Maimonides, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Idol Worship, Law 11). Even if an idol worshipper sealed it for him, it is prohibited to keep it (this is also implied in Mordechai, Chapter 25, and Tosafot). The same applies to other prohibited forms (in the Tur, and so states the Ran in the name of the Rif, and this is implied in all the halachic authorities).

Forms of animals, living creatures, birds, fish, and forms of trees and grasses, and similar items are permitted to be created, even if the form is raised.

There are those who say that the prohibition on the form of a human 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 one who finds it nor for one who creates it. (And this is the practice.)

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