Keeping a Bas-Relief Sun at Home
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Question
I have seen that it is forbidden to make a sculpture in the shape of the sun. I bought a piece of art that has a protruding bas-relief shape of the sun. Is there a problem with this?
Answer
Hello,
Aside from the prohibition against drawing or sculpting the shape of the sun, moon, and stars, which is a Torah prohibition, there is also a rabbinic prohibition against keeping them at home due to suspicion.
However, we are lenient with drawings and shapes made in factories, as there is no suspicion that they were made for idolatry, since it is clear to everyone that they are industrially produced. But something made individually, whether by the person themselves or by another, is forbidden to keep at home.
There is a solution to 'damage' the shape, meaning to remove a significant part, so it is clear that it is not a complete sun, and then it is permitted to keep it at home.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 141, סעיף 4