Shalom
Can I make foto of the moon by digital camera and post it in internet? Is there isur mideoraisoh or miderabonan? If it possible – please show a source
Thank you
Answer:
One who is lenient in this regard has what to rely on.
A picture is two dimensional, not protruding or sunken in. This is a matter of debate as to whether such a picture is included in this prohibition. While many are stringent, in this case there are other factors. Taking a picture is an indirect way of causing a picture to be “drawn”. Some authorities permit this form of “drawing”. In addition you do not want to print it out, just upload from camera to internet. In this instance the photo will remain non permanent, i.e. it comes and goes as the picture is viewed and then closed. Some authorities are lenient in such a scenario. Considering all of the above it would seem permissible to take such a photo and post it.
Sources:
See Avodah Zarah 43a-b; Rambam, Idolatry 3:11; Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 141:4; Taz 141:13 (permitting flat images); Shach 141:25 (prohibiting flat images); Chochmas Adom 85:5, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 168:1, Iggros Moshe, vol. 5, no. 9; Rabbi Pesach Eliyahu Falk, Am Ha-Torah, mahadurah 3, vol. 5, pp. 49-70; concerning gerama, see Lehoros Noson (3:50), who permits the creation of an image by means of gerama. See Shu”t Maharit 35 who permits non permanent drawings.
