<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In a number of shuls in the world, two model lions have been placed above or in front of the Aron Kodesh and the question has often been asked as to whether or not it was permissible to have such lions in the shul, since there could be avodah zoroh problems. There have been numerous halachic discussions on this question and in the answers given some permit whilst others forbid putting models of lions and other creatures on the Aron Kodesh. (see: Minhagei Hakehilos by Rav Bunim Yoel Tausig, 1:30-44) </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>