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Definition of an idol
#1
"The Path of the Righteous Gentile," chapter 5 on idolatry, part 2 #17 states: "It is forbidden to make figures or images for ornamental purposes, even though they are not idols; that is, one should not make images of gold or silver that are merely for artistic purposes because he might cause others to mistake them for idols. *This prohibition pertains to forms with human characteristics in three-dimensional relief.* Though forbidden, such actions do not warrant capital punishment."

Here should I not escape from the literal meaning of the expression "images of gold or silver," or does this pertain to other forms such as plastic, metal, dolls, etc.?

Also in "The Path of the Righteous Gentile," chapter 5 on idolatry, part 2 #23 states: "It is not forbidden to keep or physically hold the image of a man unless it is distinctly the image of one worshiped as a god. Any other human image [i.e. image of a human] may be kept or held, so long as the image is slightly distorted or damaged, such as by chipping the nose, to dispel any suspicion of its being an idolatrous form. This act of damaging is called nullifying the idol."

Here the medium of form such as gold, silver, plastic, metal, stuffed, etc., is not specifically defined. Does that mean that all these forms and others are prohibited unless nullified?

Really simply stated, my question is, what constitutes a physical idol?
What about images of animals and plants or other created things that are not human?

Thanks,
Randy
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Messages In This Thread
Definition of an idol - by Randy - 07-23-2007, 11:58 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by rabbiyitz - 07-24-2007, 01:44 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by Randy - 07-25-2007, 10:20 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by zoidberg - 07-26-2007, 01:20 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by newlybennoach - 08-30-2007, 02:55 PM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by patkris - 09-16-2007, 03:13 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by Director Michael - 09-16-2007, 12:33 PM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by patkris - 09-16-2007, 02:09 PM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by bdschuh - 11-08-2007, 07:35 AM
RE: Definition of an Idol - by Director Michael - 12-24-2007, 07:19 PM
RE: Pagan holidays - by Director Michael - 12-18-2008, 03:05 AM
RE: Definition of an idol - by Director Michael - 08-28-2009, 06:55 PM
Conceptual idolatries - by Hrvatski Noahid - 09-25-2013, 03:31 AM
RE: Definition of an idol - by Director Michael - 10-01-2013, 11:34 AM
RE: Definition of an idol - by OlKorekt - 02-25-2018, 09:20 PM
RE: Definition of an idol - by Director Michael - 03-07-2018, 03:53 AM

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