3-D image reproduction of a human form

[noahidecanada]

I'm reading the "divine code" and some questions came up in my head when i was reading the chapter on prohibition of idolatry.

From what i understood, prefect 3 dimensional reproduction of a full human or angel is forbidden .

Now tell me if those things are legal to make, sell or own.
I'm giving modern examples:

-Superman doll for kids
-Elvis presley ( wax statue )
-Female mannequin ( store window display for clothes)

[Director Michael]

Wax statues and store mannequins can be considered as decorative figures, and therefore the prohibition of anatomically correct full human figures, or human-like angel figures, applies.

From "The Divine Code," Volume I, Part 2, Chapter 5:

"If a toy figure or doll has an anatomically correct human form, we consider two types: (1) collector’s pieces that are valued by adults, and which might be displayed for decoration – these can be made permissible by removing a feature, for example, by cutting off an ear ...; (2) toys for children’s play, which are permitted as they are, since they are not intended for decorative purposes... But if the toy’s features are not accurate, the toy is permitted from the outset."

[noahidecanada]

If lets say the doll was missing his or her genital organs, it would be permit to keep it. Yes?

[Director Michael]

Since a children's doll-toy of type (2) described above is permitted to keep in any event, then that detail is irrelevant.

The decorative and valued dolls of type (1) described above are usually dressed in clothes when they are displayed, so what is under the clothes and hidden from view is irrelevant, if it does not detract from the life-like appearance of the visible anatomically-correct features.

[sodergard]

Sh'lom! I have a question. In my art class in school, we will have to make self-portraits in clay, depicting our heads, not the body. Is that okay? I understand it so from "The Divine Code." Or have I misunderstood?
So, is it okay making a 3-dimensional picture of a human head?

[Director Michael]

This is permitted for Gentiles, if the purpose is for art or decoration, and not for a purpose associated with idolatry.

[Daniel2]

What about trophies or other awards that consist of a complete 3D human figure and is anatomically accurate? Since it's only to show that an award has been won and is not specifically there for decoration, would it still need to be nullified?

[Director Michael]

If such a figure is put on display, it should be nullified. If you just keep it stored away where it's not seen, it wouldn't have to be nullified. But eventually the responsibility for nullifying the figure or keeping it stored away will pass on to someone else. So you should consider nullifying it anyway, just to be on the safe side for the future, for yourself or for others.

[Director Michael]

This question was received about humanoid robots:

I believe that in terms of military research, it may be necessary to build humanoid robots, and that research is already underway. However, I think at a consumer level, they could be used for sexual purposes, and people could come to "idolize" them in a secular sense.

I think one of the determining factors would be whether the robot were designed to mimic human flesh. For example, a display of a human skeleton is not idolatrous, but if one were to sculpt clay around a skeleton, it could become an idol.

Do you think there should be a prohibition on mimicking human flesh?

To adhere to The Divine Code, I don't own any statues of humans, but I own small silver statues of animals. At a certain point of delineation, a humanoid robot can become like a statue of a human, which I avoid.

I have The Divine Code book as well as the accompanying prayer booklet. I have read the prayers many times, it is one of my favorite prayer books.

[Director Michael]

This question was received about humanoid robots:

I believe that in terms of military research, it may be necessary to build humanoid robots, and that research is already underway. However, I think at a consumer level, they could be used for sexual purposes,

That could certainly involve sexual transgressions in the categories of licentiousness and emitting semen "in vain." By the way, it's already possible to purchase humanoid robots that are designed for that purpose. But that's separate from the issue of idolatry.

and people could come to "idolize" them in a secular sense.

Nevertheless, "idolize in a secular sense" is not connected with the Noahide commandment that forbids idol worship.

I think one of the determining factors would be whether the robot were designed to mimic human flesh.

A brick or the dust on the ground can become an idol, if it's bowed down to as a person's deity or as a symbol of the deity that the person is worshiping. The sin of worshiping an idol doesn't have anything to do with the appearance of the object.

However, it's recognized in Torah law that people could be more readily drawn to worship an object that has a 3-D accurate appearance of human being - even if it's made only of stone or metal, even without a surface that mimics human flesh. That's why there is a prohibition for Gentiles against even making or owning a 3-D statue of an idol (for example, a statue of the idol J'sus).

As an offshoot of this, Gentiles are forbidden to have 3-D full or frontal anatomically-accurate figures of persons or angels exclusively for decoration. Such objects are not idols in general, and having them as decoration is not idolatry or idolatrous in and of itself. But because people have a tendency to gaze at, appreciate and contemplate decorative objects, therefore, the accurate forms of humans or angels (e.g., angels in human form as described in prophetic visions in the Hebrew Bible) are forbidden for decoration, in order to distance people from transgression of the prohibition against turning toward idol worship.

For Gentiles, the Torah Sages did not extend that prohibition to objects that are made to have for some practical use - for example, the practical things that humanoid robots can be used for.

For example, a display of a human skeleton is not idolatrous, but if one were to sculpt clay around a skeleton, it could become an idol.

A human skeleton could also become an idol, if someone decides to worship it.

Do you think there should be a prohibition on mimicking human flesh?

I think that it's enough if the existing prohibitions would be accepted and observed by the society - please G-d, if only that would happen. But if a Noahide wants to go beyond the letter of the law and accept upon himself that additional restriction for the purpose of more stringently distancing himself from the actual prohibition, that's a pious and praiseworthy thing to do. But one shouldn't require other Gentiles to observe that extra stringency that isn't part of the Noahide Code.

To adhere to The Divine Code, I don't own any statues of humans, but I own small silver statues of animals. At a certain point of delineation, a humanoid robot can become like a statue of a human, which I avoid.

I have The Divine Code book as well as the accompanying prayer booklet. I have read the prayers many times, it is one of my favorite prayer books.