Lily Krakowski on sat 15 feb 03
Snail, re: your question.
I wrote Kathie off list that I thought the Rabbi wrong. I do not have a kiln
god, but I think these things come under amulets and, if you all will read
Joshua Trachtenberg's "Jewish Magic and Superstition" which is a fun book,
no matter what/who/which you will see that amulets have been tolerated all
along.
The injunction against graven images and representations still persists
among Orthodox Jews. Many will not allow a child to have a doll unless
there is some bit of it broken off--which alledgedly decomissions it as a
potential idol! Some Orthodox Jews would not have a bust of Mozart, or
Freud or whoever in their house; others would.
Although these figurative representations are prohibited, there are some
three dimensional ones found--you can see some in books on Jewish liturgical
art. And these clearly were made when Jews were far more "observant" than
even the Orthodox today. And there are debates about how much of a high
relief is/is not allowed.
I think that most Jews realize that idols are idols and not all graven
images are idols or suitable as idols. Times and religions have changed...
Be that as it may, amulets and other minor superstitions do prevail. I do
not plan to list them--this is Clayart after all--but you will see even
Orthodox women wearing a Chai pendant. There two letters chet and jod
represent the number 18, and spell "life" . Surely that is an amulet and
surely it is superstition. (This, by the way, explains why when you get an
appeal from a Jewish organization, or see one in the paper, it often will
says: Suggested contribution: $5, $10, $18, $25..)
It may make no sense to the Gentiles--but 18 being a "magical" number, many
will give $ 18 or a multiple thereof.
Any help?
>
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
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