The totem pole at Eden Village Camp is a favorite gathering spot for campers.

Some years ago, before we could go online at get the answers to anything, I sought out an old Indian tribesman. At the time I had a fascination with the North American Indians and I wanted to know more about their religious beliefs.

My overall impression was that the North American Indians believed in the one spirit that moved through all things which is a similar idea to the G-dly energy we Jews believe in. When they had ritual practices of prayer to something other than this ultimate one spirit, they could direct attention towards a lesser spirit, like the spirit of the wind or the rain.  But never did they worship it as a god.

Here at Eden Village Camp there is a totem pole by the campfire ring looking out to the lake. It’s a peaceful area and I enjoy going there to exercise.  So it got me thinking about totem poles, and is a totem pole an avodah zarah (idol)?

The totem poles were never an object of worship and thus would not be considered an idol (avodah zarah) The early Christian missionaries and European explorers came up with the idea that totem poles were connected with idol worship but the locals who built them never treated them with significant reverence. A totem pole was built as a monumental sculpture, to tell over a story, to show clan lineage, but most often a totem pole was a display of art.

So I think it is fine to take pictures of them without worrying about avodah zara issues.