Bible says what? We can’t make images of living things
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild takes a topic from the Torah and puts a progressive spin on it
While there are many Jewish writers and scientists, religious Jewish artists are thin on the ground. It is generally understood that Judaism has a taboo against creating images of living things.
This stems from biblical texts, most notably in the Ten Commandments: “Do not make yourself a carved-image or any figure that is in the heavens above, that is on the earth beneath, that is in the waters beneath the earth…”
The context is that such images are connected to worship leading away from the invisible and incorporeal God of Israel.
Unlike the pagan traditions surrounding them, the Israelite God was never seen; at most God was shrouded in cloud or fire.
It is likely then, that this law was to prevent the Israelites from assimilating with the different peoples they met in the wilderness.
One of my favourite psalms (115) describes these idols as having mouths that cannot speak and eyes that cannot see; everyone who makes them or trusts them will become like them, worthless and impotent.
But the prohibition against such images is honoured rather less than one might think. There were cherubim in the desert tent and in Solomon’s Temple as well as early synagogues, and we routinely have lions or flowers decorating Sifrei Torah.
Was the ban to prevent other beliefs polluting the Israelite God or was it to prevent assimilation? Was it to demonstrate the beauty of holiness rather than the Hellenic holiness of beauty? Or was it to prevent people gaining power over God by knowing God’s image?
Torah permits representations of humans as long as they are not used for idolatry and we no longer fear alternate ‘gods’.
Possibly the most powerful challenge is that we are made b’tzelem Elohim – in God’s image. So maybe more Jewish artists should emerge in the tradition of Betzalel, the artistic director of the desert tabernacle, and decorate our world fearlessly.
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild has been a community rabbi in south London for 30 years
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
