Sculpting: Art or Idolatry

By Chaim Levy

In the past installment, we touched upon the Rebbe’s view on using one’s talents and abilities for the service of G-d, an idea which is recurrent in the Rebbe’s letters.

In this vein, we present our next letter, moving from the previous example of playing an instrument to the field of sculpting.

The art of sculpting is something often looked down upon in many religious circles, and for good reason. Most sculptures are often formed in a way contrary to Torah and are at odds with the rules and values set down by Halacha.

The Rebbe’s views on this subject, however, remain the same. The art of sculpting, like any other art, is but a medium. A G-d given talent which can be used for the negative as well as to fulfill its ultimate purpose, as an inspiration in divine service.

To illustrate the above, quoted below is an excerpt of an English letter on the issue of sculpting, written by the Rebbe to german-born Jewish sculptor Mrs. Erna Weill:

“. . the subject under discussion is an art which is connected with the basic prohibition of idolatry, and which, on the other hand, if utilized in [a] way which accords with the Torah, could have a strong impact on the emotional world of the sensitive beholder and inspire him. At the same time, it is a well-known principle of our Living Torah, that the end does not justify the means. Since the end of the art of sculpture is to evoke the highest emotions, it can best be achieved if and when the means and methods correspond in the maximum degree to the Torah.

My experience in similar situations, though not in the field of sculpture, has been to convince me that where the individuals in question have resolved to be guided by the Torah, they found their road much easier than anticipated and it has brought them more peace and harmony than they thought possible.”

Presented here, for the first time, are three additional letters addressed to Mrs. Weill, in which the Rebbe thanks her for sending him some of her recent sculptures and encourages her in her work.

These letters shed insight into this unique and personal connection between the Rebbe and a sculptor, highlighting the unique personalities the Rebbe corresponded with in his English letters.

Apropos to the time in which we find ourselves, the days leading up to the Rebbe’s 120th birthday, one of these letters are in response to Mrs. Weill’s birthday wishes for the Rebbe’s 80th birthday, and thanking her for a gift she sent.

These letters are part of a vast collection of Mrs. Weill’s letters which has been shared with the Rebbe Responsa Project and will be available in full.

The Rebbe Responsa archive contains several thousand letters of the Rebbe written in English. This database will soon be made available on the forthcoming Rebbe Responsa app, allowing the world to view, learn and internalize the Rebbe’s insight and direction these precious letters contain.

[For more on the Rebbe’s view of sculpting, see the Rebbe’s English letters to sculptor Jacques Lifshitz printed in Dovid Zaklikowski Dear Rebbe (Hassidic Archives, 2019), and on the Rebbe Responsa app].

The ultimate aim of this project is to bring this mostly overlooked and inaccessible genre of the Rebbe’s Torah into the home of every jew.

For more info, visit RebbeResponsa.com