Attitudes to Synagogue Art and Practices

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Rabbinic Opposition to Images

m. Avodah Zarah 3:1

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All images are prohibited because they are worshiped once a year, according to the opinion of R. Meir, but the sages say: [An image] is not prohibited except one that has a staff or bird or orb in its…

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Rabbinic Acceptance of Wall Paintings and Mosaics

y. Avodah Zarah 3:3, 42d; 4:1, 43d

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In the days of R. Yoḥanan, they started painting on walls, and he did not protest against it. [In the days of R. Abun, they started…

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Rabbinic Acceptance of Celestial Imagery

b. Rosh Hashanah 24a

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And is it permitted [to create these types of forms]? Isn’t it written: You shall not make with Me [gods of silver, or gods of gold (Exodus 20:20), which is interpreted as teaching]: You shall not…