ב"ה

You Shall Have No Other Gods

The Second Commandment

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You Shall Have No Other Gods: The Second Commandment

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, nor any manner of likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth."
Ten Commandments 2  
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Monotheism, Idolatry; Paganism

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7 Comments
AI July 18, 2024

Shalom Rabbi,

I hope this message finds you well.
I have a question for a long time now regarding the second commandment and I would sincerely appreciate an answer..

Is it forbidden to draw or paint human images? Is it forbidden to paint any images at all?

I have a passion for painting. However, I stopped doing that. There was a time that I painted something random and it really terrified me. It reminded me of this commandment immediately. I quickly destroyed the painting after realizing that I might have painted something wrong.

Ever since then, I’ve stopped because I’m afraid of what I might create.

I would really appreciate a response to this matter. It would help a lot. Thank you so much for your time. Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for chabad.org July 22, 2024
in response to AI:

Forms of humans are only forbidden when made protruding. If the images are flat or engraved, it is permissible. See Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 141:4-5. So, there is no need to stop painting humans. Just don't make sculptures of them. Reply

AI July 22, 2024
in response to Rabbi Mendel Adelman for chabad.org:

This is a relief. 😌 Thank you so much for the response, Rabbi. This means a lot! 🙏🏻💙 Reply

Sara July 10, 2024

Great speech! Reply

Yochanan Schreurs The Netherlands May 12, 2015

Ten commandments Toda
good explanations Reply

Elena Ester Rivka Guadagnini June 18, 2013

Kol Hakavod Rabbi, for you reveal to us G-d's ways. Toda from my hearth, I am full of joy. Reply

Michael Leibovitz Calgary, Alberta via chabadsantafe.com May 27, 2013

So deep, so profound. Toda.

We just came back from Brooklyn. Bought some books @Eichler's:-) Reply

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