I know a number of people (frum) who have statues decorating their front yards or steps (for example: a lion at the entrance to a house or a rabbit in the garden). Are these considered acceptable according to halacha or should people not purchase them?

Second question: figurines/collectibles - are they considered benign or is there something which we should know (for example: delicate china birds)?

B"H

Rivkaleah,

I have not studied this subject in depth, but just while checking briefly into your question, I found the following response in Maimonides' "Code of Jewish Law" (Mishne Torah, Hilchos Avodah Zarah, chapter 3:10-ff.

There, he writes:

אסור לעשות צורות לנואי, ואף על פי שאינן עבודה זרה: שנאמר לא תעשון איתי אלוהי כסף ואלוהי זהב - כלומר צורות של כסף ושל זהב שהן לנואי, כדי שלא יטעו בהן הטועים וידמו שהן לעבודה. ואין אסור לצור לנואי, אלא צורת האדם בלבד

לפיכך אין צרין, לא בעץ ולא בסיד ולא באבן, צורת האדם: והוא שתהא הצורה בולטת, כגון הציור והכיור שבטרקלין וכיוצא בהן; ואם צר, לוקה. אבל אם היתה הצורה מושקעת, או צורה של סמנין כגון הצורות שעל גבי הלוחות והטבליות, או צורות שרוקמין באריג--הרי אלו מותרות

צורות הבהמות ושאר נפש חיה חוץ מן האדם, וצורות אילנות ודשאים וכיוצא בהן--מותר לצור אותן, ואפילו היתה הצורה בולטת


(Translation)


"It is forbidden to make images for decorative purposes, even though they were not [made for] idolatry. As it is written: 'Thou shalt not make with me gods of silver, or gods of gold (Shemos 20:19),' meaning, images of silver and of gold which are for decorative purposes, so that those who are errant may not be mistaken thereby, and imagine that they [have been made] for idolatrous purposes. Now, there is no prohibition in making decorative [images] except with regard to the image of man alone.

Therefore, it is not permitted to fashion, whether in wood or in plaster, or in stone, the image of a man. This is contingent upon the image being prominent [in its shape], like the drawings and sculptured reliefs in a banqueting hall, and similar [places]. Now, he who fashions [such designs], he is flagellated [with a whip]. But if the image was depressed, or an image made of symbols, such as the images that are [engraven] upon the tables or plates, or images that are embroidered in woven-cloth, behold, these are permitted.

...The images of wild-beasts, and other living creatures besides man, and images of trees and vegetation, and similar things, it is permitted to fashion them, even if the image was prominent [in shape]."

Here's a link to another topic on "Avodah Zora" which might help you too.

Link to "Avodah Zara?" topic on Global Yeshiva - Members Only forum