I understand that Orthodox Jews, or perhaps I should say ultra-orthodox Jews, will not display paintings of people for only the Almighty can “create man” and/or his image. (Feel free to correct me.) So, what is their position on photos???
Along these lines, I understand that even a child’s doll must have a facial defect, such as an eye torn out, so that the imperfection distingishes its likeness to man. I know, it’s a bit extreme. But, I never thought to ask about photos…
I’m sure a wise Sdoper will come along to explain more about this. In the meantime, feel free to paint a still-life…
Photos are not a problem. Plenty of Orthodox Jews have photographs hanging in their homes. Likewise with oil and other paintings of people.
My daughter has about a gazillion Barbie dolls and none of them have any defect except for the kind that comes from an eight year old banging them around.
Zev has answered from main-stream Orthodoxy. There might well be some small sub-sects somewhere that avoid photographs and statues, not because only God can create humans, but to avoid “creating graven images.”
Judaism is very diverse, and I’d not be in the least surprised to find such a small sect somewhere. However, we’re probably talking about a couple hundred followers at most, and it’s certainly far from mainstream.
Any old religion will tend to produce small, regionalized sects that do things very different from mainstream. Christianity and Islam are not without such, either.
I have orthodox friends who had small statues or figurines that they intentionally damaged in some way so there will be no mistake about them being graven images. I remember one family that had a little budda statue who had his fingers broken off on one hand (ouch!). I don’t know why they had the little guy in the first place and it is too late now to ask.
I don’t know how abstract a statue has to be before it wouldn’t be considered some type of potential idol.