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The two sat together, deep in Torah discussion. When they paused for a break, a young man began walking in their direction. "Honored Rabbi," the young man began "is it alright if I take a picture?"
Rabbi Kook graciously agreed. After the man had taken a picture, and walked away, Rabbi Kook began to speak again.
"I wonder if one is permitted to refuse to be photographed," Rabbi Kook mused. "Does one’s image, in fact, belong to him, that he can prevent another from using it? The question reminds me of an interesting news item that I heard about, once.
"There were two men, in India, who went out for a stroll. The heat proved to be somewhat oppressive, and the men felt compelled to take a break. They sat down on the sand, to rest and regain their strength. One of the men had been walking with his donkey, and the donkey sat down, alongside his owner. As the donkey sat down, the other man realized that the animal partially blocked the sunlight, and actually provided some shade from the glaring sun. The owner of the donkey became angry, and demanded that his friend move out of the donkey’s shade. The friend insisted that he was allowed to sit in the shade, and that it did not belong to the owner of the donkey. After repeated attempts to get his friend to move, the owner of the donkey began beating the other man, who fell helplessly to the ground, screaming in pain.
"The next day, there was a knock on the door of the donkey owner. He was being summoned to court, for having beaten up his friend. The local court heard the arguments of both parties, and could not decide whether, in fact, the donkey’s shade belonged to his owner, or not. The case was brought to a regional court, and then to the Supreme Court, as the judges were left puzzled, unable to decide who owned the donkey’s shade.
"At the time, India was under British jurisdiction. The case was brought before representatives of the queen, who were also at a loss to decide the outcome."
Does the owner of the donkey own the donkey’s shade? Similarly, is one allowed to refuse to have his picture taken?
Answer of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Hakohen Kook, zt"l:
Rabbi Kook discussed several sources from the Gemara, including Pesachim 25b and Avoda Zara 48b. He determined that a person’s shade does not belong to him. By extension, neither does his image, and, therefore, one may not refuse to be photographed.
In summary:
A person does not own his shade, and certainly not the shade of his animal. Similarly, a person has no right to prevent another person from taking a picture of him.
(The story comes from Oz V’taatzumot, page 77.)
(See also Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld’s B’shalmat Chaim (siman 773 regarding taking a picture of someone without permission )
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
