Q. Shalom! 1. Are we allowed to sell sculptures of humans, animals?
A. In Parshas Eikev, (Devorim 7: 25-26) the Torah commands: The graven images of their gods you will burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is upon them and take it for yourself, - Nor should you bring an abomination into your house, lest you are to be destroyed like it, but you shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is to be destroyed.
The command: Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, bans bringing an idol into your home and also forbids benefiting from idolatry (Rambam, Hilchos Avodah Zarah 7:2).
However Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 141: 1) rules that the above applies only to statues that were made for the purpose of worshipping them and serving as an avoda zara (idolatrous service). Taz (ibid. 2) maintains that unless it is a common local custom that this particular statue is used for idolatrous purposes, or we know it was actually so utilised, we are not “machzik isur” (assume a prohibition on doubt) and one can keep them or benefit from them. (See next question)
Horav Shlomo Miller's Shlit'a opinion is that although one may follow the lenient opinion and buy or sell statues that are art and have no relation to avoda zara, there is still a prohibition on creating or sculpturing human statues even when not done for worshipping purposes. This would then include buying them from Jewish sources, as it encourages the act.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit'a
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