Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we begin learning the practical halachos of how a Yid must distance himself from any connection to avodah zarah. The Rambam opens by teaching us the positive mitzvah to completely destroy and eradicate false deities, their accessories, and anything made for their service. We will learn the distinction between Eretz Yisrael, where we are commanded to actively hunt down and destroy these abominations, and the diaspora, where the obligation is limited to places we conquer.
We will also learn the severe prohibitions against deriving any benefit whatsoever from avodah zarah, its accessories, and its offerings. The Torah warns us, "Do not bring an abomination to your home," and "Let nothing which is condemned cling to your hand." The chapter goes into detail regarding what is forbidden, including animals sacrificed to idols, where even the bones, horns, and hides are completely prohibited from use.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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מִצְוַת הַשְׁמָדַת עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבְחוּץ לָאָרֶץHalacha 1 · The Mitzvah to Destroy Idol Worship in Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora
מִצְוַתA commandment ofעֲשֵׂהactionהִיאit isלְאַבֵּדto destroyעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָand its accessoriesוְכָלand everythingהַנַּעֲשֶׂהthat is madeבִּשְׁבִילָהּfor its sakeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיב12ב2"אַבֵּד"destroyתְּאַבְּדוּןyou shall destroyאֶת—כָּלallהַמְּקוֹמֹת"the places"וְנֶאֱמַרand it is saidדבריםDevarimז7ה5"כִּי"ratherאִם·כֹּהthusתַעֲשׂוּyou shall doלָהֶם"to them"וְגוֹ'.etc.וּבְאֶרֶץAnd in the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelמִצְוָהit is a mitzvahלִרְדֹּףto pursueאַחֲרֶיהָafter itעַדuntilשֶׁנְּאַבֵּדthat we destroyאוֹתָהּitמִכָּלfrom allאַרְצֵנוּ.our landאֲבָלbutבְּחוּץoutsideלָאָרֶץto the Landאֵיןnotאָנוּare weמְצֻוִּיןcommandedלִרְדֹּףto pursueאַחֲרֶיהָafter itאֶלָּאratherכָּלanyמָקוֹםplaceשֶׁנִּכְבּשׁthat we conquerאוֹתוֹitנְאַבֵּדwe destroyכָּלallעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁבּוֹ.that is in itשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיב12ג3"וְאִבַּדְתֶּם"and you shall destroyאֶת—שְׁמָםtheir nameמִןfromהַמָּקוֹםthe placeהַהוּא".that"בְּאֶרֶץin the Land ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאַתָּהyouמְצֻוֶּהare commandedלִרְדֹּףto pursueאַחֲרֵיהֶןafter themוְאִיand notאַתָּהyouמְצֻוֶּהare commandedלִרְדֹּףto pursueאַחֲרֵיהֶןafter themבְּחוּץoutsideלָאָרֶץ:to the Land
This halacha outlines the positive commandment to eradicate idol worship, its accessories, and its places of worship, distinguishing between the obligation to actively pursue it in Eretz Yisrael versus destroying it upon conquest in the diaspora.
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אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מֵעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָHalacha 2 · The Prohibition of Deriving Benefit from Idols and Their Accessories
עֲבוֹדַתAn idolכּוֹכָבִים·וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָand its accessoriesוְתִקְרֹבֶתand an offeringשֶׁלָּהּof itוְכָלand everythingהַנַּעֲשֶׂהthat is madeבִּשְׁבִילָהּfor its sakeאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimז7כו26"וְלֹא"And do notתָבִיאbringתוֹעֵבָהan abominationאֶלintoבֵּיתֶךָ"your house"וְכָלand anyoneהַנֶּהֱנֶהwho benefitsבְּאֶחָדfrom oneמִכָּלof allאֵלּוּtheseלוֹקֶהreceives lashesשְׁתַּיִם.twiceאַחַתoneמִשּׁוּםbecause ofוְלֹאand do notתָבִיא.bringוְאַחַתand oneמִשּׁוּםbecause ofוְלֹאand let notיִדְבַּקclingבְּיָדְךָto your handמְאוּמָהanythingמִןofהַחֵרֶם:the condemned thing
This halacha establishes that it is strictly forbidden to derive any benefit from idols, their accessories, or offerings made to them, and that violating this carries a double penalty of lashes.
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אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִתִּקְרֹבֶת עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְעוֹרוֹת לְבוּבִיןHalacha 3 · The Prohibition of Benefiting from Idolatrous Offerings and Pierced Hides
בְּהֵמָהAn animalשֶׁהִקְרִיבוּהָthat they sacrificedכֻּלָּהּentirelyלַעֲבוֹדַתto worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitאֲפִלּוּevenפִּרְשָׁהּits dungוְעַצְמוֹתֶיהָand its bonesוְקַרְנֶיהָand its hornsוּטְלָפֶיהָand its hoovesוְעוֹרָהּand its hideהַכּלeverythingאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitלְפִיכָךְThereforeאִםifהָיָהthere wasבָּעוֹרin the hideסִימָןa signשֶׁיּוֹדֵעַthat one knowsבּוֹby itשֶׁזֶּהthat thisהָעוֹרhideתִּקְרֹבֶתis an offering ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהוּאit isכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereעוֹשִׂיםaccustomedשֶׁקּוֹרְעִיםto tearקֶרַעa tearעָגֹלroundכְּנֶגֶדoppositeהַלֵּבthe heartוּמוֹצִיאִיןand they extractהַלֵּבthe heartהֲרֵיbeholdכָּלall ofאוֹתָןthoseהָעוֹרוֹתhidesשֶׁהֵןthat areכָּךְsoאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha teaches that an animal sacrificed to idols is completely forbidden for any benefit, including its hide, bones, and waste, and explains how to identify such forbidden hides.
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הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים לְשֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵלHalacha 4 · The Difference Between the Idol of a Non-Jew and a Jew
מַהWhatבֵּיןbetweenעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלַעֲבוֹדַתto worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵל.an Israeliteעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitמִיָּדimmediatelyשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimז7כה25"פְּסִילֵי"The sculptures ofאֱלֹהֵיהֶםtheir godsתִּשְׂרְפוּןyou shall burnבָּאֵשׁ"with fire"מִשֶּׁפְּסָלוֹfrom when he sculpted itנַעֲשָׂהit becomesלוֹto himאֱלוֹהַּ.a godוְשֶׁלand ofיִשְׂרָאֵלan Israeliteאֵינָהּis notאֲסוּרָהforbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitעַדuntilשֶׁתֵּעֲבֵדit is worshipedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimכז27טו15"וְשָׂם"and placesבַּסָּתֶר"in secret"עַדuntilשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהhe doesלָהּfor itדְּבָרִיםthingsשֶׁבַּסֵּתֶרthat are in secretשֶׁהֵןwhich areעֲבוֹדָתָהּ.its worshipוּמְשַׁמְּשֵׁיAnd the accessories ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבֵּיןor whetherשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלan Israeliteאֵינָןare notאֲסוּרִיןforbiddenעַדuntilשֶׁיִּשְׁתַּמְּשׁוּthey are usedבָּהֶןwith themלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִים:stars
This halacha explains when an idol and its accessories become forbidden for benefit, distinguishing between those of a non-Jew and those of a Jew.
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שְׂכַר עֲשִׂיַּת עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וַחֲלֻקַּת יְרֻשַּׁת גֵּרHalacha 5 · Wages for Making an Idol and Dividing an Inheritance with a Non-Jew
הָעוֹשֶׂהOne who makesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלַאֲחֵרִיםfor othersאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהוּאthat heלוֹקֶהreceives lashesשְׂכָרוֹhis wageמֻתָּרis permittedוַאֲפִלּוּand evenעֲשָׂאָהּhe made itלְעוֹבֵדfor a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁהִיאwhich isאֲסוּרָהforbiddenמִיָּד.immediatelyמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵינָהּthat it is notנֶאֱסֶרֶתforbiddenעַדuntilשֶׁתִּגָּמֵרit is completedוּמַכּוֹשׁand the strokeאַחֲרוֹןfinalשֶׁגּוֹמְרָהּthat completes itאֵיןthere is notבּוֹin itשְׁוֵהthe value ofפְּרוּטָה.a perutahהַלּוֹקֵחַOne who purchasesגְּרוּטָאוֹתscrap metalמִןfromהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמָצָאand foundבָּהֶןin themעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsאִםifנָתַןhe gaveמָעוֹתmoneyוְלֹאbut notמָשַׁךְpulledיַחֲזִירֵםhe should return themלָעוֹבֵדto the worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְכֵןand soאִםifמָשַׁךְhe pulledוְלֹאbut notנָתַןgaveמָעוֹתmoneyאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁמְּשִׁיכָהthat pullingבְּעוֹבֵדregarding a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsקוֹנָהacquiresכְּמֶקַחlike a purchase ofטָעוּתerrorהוּא.it isנָתַןIf he gaveמָעוֹתmoneyוּמָשַׁךְand pulledיוֹלִיכֵםhe must cast themלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח.SaltוְכֵןAnd soעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְגֵרand a convertשֶׁיָּרְשׁוּwho inheritedאֶת—אֲבִיהֶןtheir fatherעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsיָכוֹלis ableהַגֵּרthe convertלוֹמַרto sayלְעוֹבֵדto the worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsטֹלtakeאַתָּהyouעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוַאֲנִיand Iמָעוֹת.moneyטֹלtakeאַתָּהyouיֵיןwine ofנֶסֶךְlibationוַאֲנִיand Iפֵּרוֹת.produceוְאִםbut ifמִשֶּׁבָּאוּafter they cameלִרְשׁוּתinto the possession ofהַגֵּרthe convertאָסוּר:it is forbidden
This halacha discusses the permissibility of wages for crafting an idol, the laws of purchasing scrap metal containing idols, and how a convert may divide an inheritance of forbidden items with his non-Jewish brother.
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הַנָּאָה מִצּוּרוֹת שֶׁל עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 6 · Benefiting from Images Made by Idolaters
צוּרוֹתImagesשֶׁעֲשָׂאוּםthat made themעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְנוֹיfor beautyמֻתָּרִיןare permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְצוּרוֹתand imagesשֶׁעֲשָׂאוּםthat made themלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסוּרִין.are forbiddenכֵּיצַד.How soכָּלAllהַצּוּרוֹתthe imagesהַנִּמְצָאִיםthat are foundבַּכְּפָרִיםin the villagesאֲסוּרִיםare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁחֶזְקָתָןtheir presumptionשֶׁלַּעֲבוֹדַתis that for worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהֵןtheyעֲשׂוּיִין,are madeוְהַנִּמְצָאוֹתand those foundבַּמְּדִינָהin the cityאִםifהָיוּthey wereעוֹמְדִיןstandingעַלatפֶּתַחthe entrance ofהַמְּדִינָהthe cityוְהָיָהand there wasבְּיַדin the hand ofהַצּוּרָהthe imageצוּרַתthe form ofמַקֵּלa staffאוֹorצִפּוֹרa birdאוֹorכַּדּוּרa globeאוֹorסַיִףa swordאוֹorעֲטָרָהa crownוְטַבַּעַתand a ringחֶזְקָתוֹits presumptionשֶׁהוּאis that itלַעֲבוֹדַתis for worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְאָסוּרand is forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitוְאִםand ifלָאוnotהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitבְּחֶזְקַתis in the presumption ofלְנוֹיfor beautyוּמֻתָּר:and is permitted
This halacha distinguishes between images made for aesthetic purposes and those made for idolatrous worship based on their location and features.
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דִּין צַלְמֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הַנִּמְצָאִים מֻשְׁלָכִים וְאֵיבָרֵי צוּרוֹתHalacha 7 · The Status of Discarded Idols and Severed Limbs of Worshiped Images
צַלְמֵיStatues ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהַנִּמְצָאִיםthat are foundמֻשְׁלָכִיםcast awayבַּשְּׁוָקִיםin the marketplacesאוֹorבְּתוֹךְinsideהַגְּרוּטָאוֹתthe scrap metalהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִיןare permittedוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayשִׁבְרֵיfragments ofצַלְמֵיהֶן.their statuesאֲבָלbutהַמּוֹצֵאone who findsיָדa handמִצּוּרַתfrom the form ofכּוֹכָבa starאוֹorמַזָּלa constellationאוֹorרַגְלָהּits footאוֹorאֵיבָרa limbמֵאֵיבָרֶיהָfrom its limbsמֻשְׁלָךְcast awayהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitהוֹאִילsinceוְיָדַעhe knewבְּוַדַּאיwith certaintyשֶׁזֶּהthat thisהָאֵיבָרlimbמִןis fromצוּרַתthe form ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהַנֶּעֱבֶדֶתthat is worshipedהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitבְּאִסּוּרָהּremains in its prohibitionעַדuntilשֶׁיִּוָדַּעit becomes knownלוֹto himשֶׁהָעוֹבְדֵיthat the worshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsעוֹבְדֶיהָits worshipersבִּטְּלוּהָ:nullified it
This halacha clarifies when discarded statues or fragments of idols are permitted for benefit and when a severed limb remains forbidden until nullification is verified.
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דִּין כֵּלִים הַנִּמְצָאִים וַעֲלֵיהֶם צוּרוֹת חַמָּה וּלְבָנָהHalacha 8 · The Status of Found Vessels Bearing Images of the Sun, Moon, or Dragon
הַמּוֹצֵאOne who findsכֵּלִיםvesselsוַעֲלֵיהֶןand upon themצוּרַתthe form ofחַמָּהthe sunוּלְבָנָהor the moonוּדְרָקוֹן.or a dragonאִםifהָיוּthey wereכְּלֵיvessels ofכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldאוֹorבִּגְדֵיgarments ofשָׁנִיscarletאוֹorשֶׁהָיוּthat they wereחֲקוּקִיםengravedעַלuponהַנְּזָמִיםthe nose-ringsוְעַלand uponהַטַּבָּעוֹתthe ringsהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseאֲסוּרִין.are forbiddenוְעַלbut uponשְׁאָרthe rest ofהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselsמֻתָּרִיןthey are permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁחֶזְקָתָןtheir presumption isלְנוֹי.for ornamentוְכֵןand soשְׁאָרthe rest ofהַצּוּרוֹתthe formsהַנִּמְצָאוֹתthat are foundעַלuponכָּלallהַכֵּלִיםthe vesselsחֶזְקָתָןtheir presumption isלְנוֹיfor ornamentוּמֻתָּרִין:and they are permitted
This halacha details which found vessels with celestial or dragon images are forbidden as suspected objects of idolatry and which are permitted as mere ornaments.
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תַּעֲרוֹבֶת עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וְאִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִדְּמֵיהֶןHalacha 9 · Mixtures of Idolatry and the Prohibition of Benefiting from Their Sale Proceeds
עֲבוֹדַתWorship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָand its accessoriesוְכָלand allהַתִּקְרֹבֶתthe offeringשֶׁלָּהּof itאוֹסְרִיםforbidבְּכָלin anyשֶׁהֵן.amountכֵּיצַד.How soעֲבוֹדַתWorship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנִּתְעָרְבָהthat was mixedבְּצוּרוֹתwith imagesשֶׁלofנוֹיbeautyאֲפִלּוּevenאַחַתoneבְּכַמָּהin severalאֲלָפִיםthousandsיוֹלִיךְhe must bringהַכּלthe wholeלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח.SaltוְכֵןAnd soאִםifנִתְעָרֵבwas mixedכּוֹסa cupשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבְּכַמָּהwith severalכּוֹסוֹתcupsאוֹorחֲתִיכָהa pieceמִןofהַבָּשָׂרthe meatשֶׁנִּתְעָרְבָהthat was mixedבְּכַמָּהwith severalחֲתִיכוֹתpiecesיוֹלִיךְhe must bringהַכּלthe wholeלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח.SaltוְכֵןAnd soעוֹרa hideלָבוּבpierced at the heartשֶׁנִּתְעָרֵבthat was mixedבְּכַמָּהwith severalעוֹרוֹתhidesהַכּלthe wholeאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitעָבַרIf he transgressedוּמָכַרand soldעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאוֹorאֶחָדoneמִמְּשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָof its accessoriesאוֹorתִּקְרֹבֶתan offeringשֶׁלָּהּof itהֲרֵיbeholdהַדָּמִיםthe moneyאֲסוּרִיןis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְאוֹסְרִיןand they forbidבְּכָלin anyשֶׁהֵןamountכַּעֲבוֹדַתlike worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDeuteronomyז7כו26"וְהָיִיתָand you shall beחֵרֶםbannedכָּמֹהוּ"like itכָּלallמַהthatשֵּׁאַתָּהwhich youמֵבִיאbringמֵעֲבוֹדַתfrom worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּמִכָּלand from allמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָits accessoriesוְתִקְרָבְתָּהּand its offeringהֲרֵיbeholdהִיאitכָּמוֹהָ:is like it
This halacha teaches that idolatry, its accessories, and its offerings are never nullified in a mixture, and that any money received from selling them carries the same strict prohibition.
הל׳ י
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מֵאֵפֶר עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה וּבִטּוּל תַּעֲרֹבֶתHalacha 10 · Prohibition of Benefiting from Idol Ashes and the Nullification of Forbidden Mixtures
עֲבוֹדַתWorship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאוֹorאֲשֵׁרָהan asherahשֶׁנִּשְׂרְפָהthat was burnedאֶפְרָהּits ashesאָסוּרare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitוְגַחֶלֶתand a coalשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenוְהַשַּׁלְהֶבֶתbut the flameמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבָּהּin itמַמָּשׁ.substanceסְפֵקA doubt ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאָסוּר,is forbiddenסְפֵקa doubt ofסְפֵקָהּits doubtמֻתָּר.is permittedכֵּיצַד.How soכּוֹסA cupשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנָּפַלthat fellבְּאוֹצָרinto a storehouseמָלֵאfull ofכּוֹסוֹתcupsכֻּלָּןall of themאֲסוּרִים,are forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁעֲבוֹדַתthat worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְכָלand allמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָits accessoriesאוֹסְרִיןforbidבְּכָלin anyשֶׁהֵן.amount that they areפֵּרַשׁIf separatedכּוֹסcupאֶחָדoneמִןfromהַתַּעֲרֹבֶתthe mixtureוְנָפַלand fellלְכוֹסוֹתinto cupsשְׁנַיִםtwoהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִין.are permittedטַבַּעַתA ringשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנִּתְעָרְבָהthat became mixedבְּכַמָּהwith manyטַבָּעוֹתringsוְנָפְלוּand fellשְׁתַּיִםtwoמֵהֶןof themלַיָּםinto the seaהַגָּדוֹלthe greatהֻתְּרוּare permittedכֻּלָּןall of themשֶׁאֲנִיfor Iאוֹמֵרsayאוֹתָהּthatהַטַּבַּעַתthe ringהָיְתָהwasבִּכְלַלamongהַשְּׁתַּיִם.the twoנִתְעָרְבָהIf it became mixedבְּמֵאָהwith one hundredוְנִתְחַלְּקוּand they were dividedאַרְבָּעִיםfortyלְמָקוֹםto a placeאֶחָדoneוְשִׁשִּׁיםand sixtyלְמָקוֹםto a placeאַחֵרanotherוְנָפְלוּand fellהָאַרְבָּעִיםthe fortyכֻּלָּןall of themלְטַבָּעוֹתinto ringsאֲחֵרוֹתotherכֻּלָּןall of themמֻתָּרוֹתare permittedשֶׁאֲנִיfor Iאוֹמֵרsayאוֹתָהּthatהַטַּבַּעַתthe ringהָאֲסוּרָהthe forbiddenבָּרֹבin the majorityהִיא.it isנָפְלוּIf fellהַשִּׁשִּׁיםthe sixtyלְטַבָּעוֹתinto ringsאֲחֵרוֹתotherכֻּלָּןall of themאֲסוּרוֹת:are forbidden
This halacha details the prohibition of benefiting from the ashes and coals of an idol, and outlines the rules of double-doubt (safek sefeka) regarding mixtures of forbidden cups or rings.
הל׳ יא
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִצֵּל אֲשֵׁרָה וּמַעֲבָר תַּחְתֶּיהָHalacha 11 · The Prohibition of Benefiting from the Shade of an Asherah and Passing Under It
הָאֲשֵׁרָהThe asherahבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasנֶעֱבֶדֶתworshipedבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהָיְתָהthat it wasעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמֻנַּחַתplacedתַּחְתֶּיהָunder itאָסוּרit is forbiddenלֵישֵׁבto sitבְּצֵלin the shade ofקוֹמָתָהּ.its trunkוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלֵישֵׁבto sitבְּצֵלin the shade ofהַשָּׂרִיגִיםthe branchesוְהֶעָלִיםand the leavesשֶׁלָּהּ.of itוְאִםand ifיֵשׁthere isלוֹto himדֶּרֶךְa pathאַחֶרֶתanotherאָסוּרit is forbiddenלוֹfor himלַעֲבֹרto passתַּחְתֶּיהָ.under itוְאִםand ifאֵיןthere is notשָׁםthereדֶּרֶךְa pathאַחֶרֶתanotherעוֹבֵרhe passesתַּחְתֶּיהָunder itכְּשֶׁהוּאwhile heרָץ:runs
This halacha details the restrictions on sitting in the shade of an idolatrous tree (asherah) and the conditions under which one may walk beneath it.
הל׳ יב
דִּין אֶפְרוֹחִים וְקֵן שֶׁבַּאֲשֵׁרָהHalacha 12 · The Status of Chicks and Nests in an Asherah Tree
אֶפְרוֹחִיםChicksשֶׁקִּנְּנוּthat nestedבָּהּin itוְאֵיןand do notצְרִיכִיןneedלְאִמָּןtheir motherמֻתָּרִין.are permittedוְהָאֶפְרוֹחִיםbut the chicksוְהַבֵּיצִיםand the eggsשֶׁצְּרִיכִיןthat needלְאִמָּןtheir motherאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenשֶׁהֲרֵיbecauseהָאֲשֵׁרָהthe asherahכְּמוֹis likeבָּסִיסa baseלָהֶן.for themוְהַקֵּןand the nestעַצְמָהּitselfשֶׁבְּרֹאשָׁהּthat is at its topמֻתָּרis permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהָעוֹףthe birdמֵבִיאbringsעֵצָיוits woodמִמָּקוֹםfrom a placeאַחֵר:other
This halacha clarifies which items found in an idolatrous tree are permitted and which are forbidden based on their dependence on the tree.
הל׳ יג
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מֵעֲצֵי אֲשֵׁרָה שֶׁהֻסַּק בָּהֶן תַּנּוּרHalacha 13 · The Prohibition of Benefit from Asherah Wood Used to Heat an Oven
נָטַלHe tookמִמֶּנָּהfrom itעֵצִיםwoodאֲסוּרִיםforbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.in benefitהֵסִיקhe heatedבָּהֶןwith themאֶת—הַתַּנּוּרthe ovenיוּצָןit must be cooledוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatיַסִּיקhe shall heatבְּעֵצִיםwith woodאֲחֵרִיםotherשֶׁלofהֶתֵּרpermissionוְיֹאפֶהand he shall bakeבּוֹ.in itאָפָהhe bakedבּוֹin itאֶת—הַפַּתthe breadוְלֹאand notצִנְּנוֹhe cooled itהַפַּתthe breadאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.in benefitנִתְעָרְבָהit became mixedבַּאֲחֵרוֹתwith othersיוֹלִיךְhe shall bringדְּמֵיthe value ofאוֹתָהּthatהַפַּתbreadלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַחthe Saltכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֵהָנֶהhe will benefitבָּהּfrom itוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהַכִּכָּרוֹתthe loavesמֻתָּרִין:are permitted
This halacha details the laws of an oven heated with forbidden wood of an asherah, and the status of bread baked in it.
הל׳ יד
תַּעֲרוֹבֶת בֶּגֶד אָסוּר וְדָבָר הַבָּא מִשְּׁנֵי גּוֹרְמִיםHalacha 14 · A Garment Woven with Asherah Wood and the Principle of Two Contributing Factors
נָטַלIf one tookמִמֶּנָּהfrom itכַּרְכַּרa shuttleוְאָרַגand woveבּוֹwith itאֶת—הַבֶּגֶדthe garmentאָסוּרit is forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitנִתְעָרֵבIf it became mixedבִּבְגָדִיםwith garmentsאֲחֵרִיםotherיוֹלִיךְhe must bringדְּמֵיthe value ofאוֹתוֹthatהַבֶּגֶדgarmentלְיָםto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַחSaltוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofכָּלallהַבְּגָדִיםthe garmentsמֻתָּרִין.are permittedוּמֻתָּרAnd it is permittedלִטַּעto plantתַּחְתֶּיהָunder itיְרָקוֹתvegetablesבֵּיןwhetherבִּימוֹתin the days ofהַחַמָּהthe sunשֶׁהֵןwhen theyצְרִיכִיןneedלְצֵל.shadeבֵּיןwhetherבִּימוֹתin the days ofהַגְּשָׁמִים.the rainsמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁצֵּלthe shade ofהָאֲשֵׁרָהthe asherahשֶׁהוּאwhich isאָסוּרforbiddenעִםwithהַקַּרְקַעthe groundשֶׁאֵינָהּwhich is notנֶאֱסֶרֶתforbiddenגּוֹרְמִיןcauseלִירָקוֹתvegetablesאֵלּוּtheseלִצְמֹחַto growוְכָלand anythingשֶׁדָּבָרthat a forbiddenאָסוּרthingוְדָבָרand a permittedמֻתָּרthingגּוֹרְמִיןcauseלוֹitהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹם.placeלְפִיכָךְThereforeשָׂדֶהa fieldשֶׁזִּבְּלָהּthat one fertilizedבְּזֶבֶלwith fertilizer ofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipמֻתָּרit is permittedלִזְרֹעַto sowאוֹתָהּ.itוּפָרָהand a cowשֶׁפִּטְּמָהּthat one fattenedבְּכַרְשִׁינֵיwith vetches ofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipתֵּאָכֵלmay be eatenוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה:to this
This halacha teaches that a garment woven with a shuttle from an asherah is forbidden, but if mixed with others, its value is cast into the Dead Sea; it also establishes that when a forbidden and a permitted factor combine to produce a result, the product is permitted.
הל׳ טו
אִסּוּר תִּקְרֹבֶת עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וְכָל הַנִּמְצָא בְּבֵיתָהּHalacha 15 · The Prohibition of Offerings to Idols and Anything Found in an Idolatrous Temple
בָּשָׂרMeatאוֹorיַיִןwineאוֹorפֵּרוֹתfruitsשֶׁהֱכִינוּםthat they prepared themלְהַקְרִיבָםto offer themלַעֲבוֹדַתto service ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלֹאnotנֶאֶסְרוּare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהִכְנִיסוּםthat they brought them inלְבֵיתto the house ofעֲבוֹדַתservice ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsעַדuntilשֶׁיַּקְרִיבוּםthat they offer themלְפָנֶיהָ.before itהִקְרִיבוּםonce they offered themלְפָנֶיהָbefore itנַעֲשׂוּthey becameתִּקְרֹבֶתan offeringוְאַףand evenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁחָזְרוּthat they returnedוְהוֹצִיאוּםand took them outהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenלְעוֹלָם.foreverוְכָלand everythingהַנִּמְצָאthat is foundבְּבֵיתin the house ofעֲבוֹדַתservice ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲפִלּוּevenמַיִםwaterוּמֶלַחand saltאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהin benefitמִןfromהַתּוֹרָה.the Torahוְהָאוֹכֵלand the one who eatsמִמֶּנּוּfrom itכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאamountלוֹקֶה:is lashed
This halacha defines when items prepared for idolatry become forbidden as offerings and rules that everything inside an idolatrous temple is strictly prohibited.
הל׳ טז
דִּין חֲפָצִים הַנִּמְצָאִים עַל גַּבֵּי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 16 · Laws of Objects Found on an Idol and the Worship of Peor and Marculis
הַמּוֹצֵאOne who findsכְּסוּתgarmentsוְכֵלִיםor utensilsוּמָעוֹתor moneyבְּרֹאשׁon the head ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsאִםifמְצָאָןhe found themדֶּרֶךְby way ofבִּזָּיוֹןderisionהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִיןare permittedוְאִםand ifמְצָאָןhe found themדֶּרֶךְby way ofכָּבוֹדhonorהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseאֲסוּרִין.are forbiddenכֵּיצַד.howמָצָאhe foundכִּיסa purseתָּלוּיhangingבְּצַוָּארוֹ.on its neckכְּסוּתa garmentמְקֻפֶּלֶתfoldedוּמֻנַּחַתand placedעַלonרֹאשׁוֹ.its headכְּלִיa utensilכָּפוּיoverturnedעַלonרֹאשׁוֹits headהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat it isדֶּרֶךְby way ofבִּזָּיוֹןderisionוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבָּזֶה.to thisמָצָאhe foundבְּרֹאשׁוֹon its headדָּבָרa thingשֶׁכַּיּוֹצֵאthat similarבּוֹto itקָרֵבis offeredלְגַבֵּיuponהַמִּזְבֵּחַthe altarהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּר.is forbiddenבַּמֶּהin whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבִּזְמַןat the timeשֶׁמְּצָאָןthat he found themחוּץoutsideלִמְקוֹםto the place ofעֲבוֹדָתוֹits worshipאֲבָלbutאִםifמְצָאוֹhe found itבִּפְנִיםinsideבֵּיןwhetherדֶּרֶךְby way ofכָּבוֹדhonorבֵּיןwhetherדֶּרֶךְby way ofבִּזָּיוֹןderisionבֵּיןwhetherדָּבָרa thingהָרָאוּיthat is fitלַמִּזְבֵּחַfor the altarבֵּיןwhetherדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notרָאוּיfitכָּלallהַנִּמְצָאthat is foundבִּפְנִיםinsideאָסוּרis forbiddenאֲפִלּוּevenמַיִםwaterוּמֶלַח.and saltוּפְעוֹרand Peorוּמַרְקוּלִיסand Marculisכָּלallהַנִּמְצָאthat is foundעִמָּהֶןwith themבֵּיןwhetherבִּפְנִיםinsideבֵּיןwhetherבַּחוּץoutsideאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitוְכֵןand soאַבְנֵיthe stones ofמַרְקוּלִיסMarculisאֶבֶןa stoneהַנִּרְאֵיתthat appearsשֶׁהִיאthat it isעִמּוֹwith itאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה:for benefit
This halacha distinguishes between objects left on an idol in a respectful versus a derisive manner, and details the strict prohibitions regarding items found inside an idolatrous temple or near Peor and Marculis.
הל׳ יז
הֲנָאָה מִמֶּרְחָץ וְגִנָּה שֶׁל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 17 · Deriving Benefit from a Bathhouse or Garden of an Idol
עֲבוֹדַתAn idolכּוֹכָבִים·שֶׁהָיָהthat hadלָהּto itמֶרְחָץa bathhouseאוֹorגִּנָּהa gardenנֶהֱנִיםwe may benefitבָּהֶםfrom themשֶׁלֹּאwithoutבְּטוֹבָהfavorוְאֵיןbut we do notנֶהֱנִיםbenefitבָּהֶםfrom themבְּטוֹבָה.with favorהָיָהIf it belongedלָהּto itוְלַאֲחֵרִיםand to othersנֶהֱנִיןwe may benefitבָּהֶןfrom themאֲפִלּוּevenבְּטוֹבַתwith favor toכֹּהֲנֶיהָits priestsוּבִלְבַדprovidedשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתֵּןone givesשָׂכָר:payment
This halacha discusses the conditions under which one may benefit from a bathhouse or garden owned by an idol or jointly owned with others.
הל׳ יח
רְחִיצָה בְּמֶרְחָץ שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים לְנוֹיHalacha 18 · Bathing in a Bathhouse Containing an Idol Placed for Aesthetic Purposes
מֶרְחָץA bathhouseשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבָּהּin itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמֻתָּרit is permittedלִרְחֹץto batheבָּהּin itמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהִיאthat itנַעֲשֵׂיתis madeשָׁםthereלְנוֹיfor beautyוְלֹאand notלְעָבְדָהּ.to worship itשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidאֱלֹהֵיהֶם.their godsבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁנּוֹהֲגִיםthat they behaveבָּהּwith itמִנְהַגthe custom ofאֱלֹהוּתgodlinessוְלֹאand notבִּזְמַןat a timeשֶׁמְּבַזִּיןthat they degradeאוֹתָןthemכְּגוֹןsuch asזוֹthisשֶׁהִיאwhichעוֹמֶדֶתstandsעַלoverהַבִּיבthe sewer pipeוְהַכּלand everyoneמַשְׁתִּינִיןurinatesבְּפָנֶיהָ.before itוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהwasדֶּרֶךְthe way ofעֲבוֹדָתָהּits worshipבְּכָךְin this mannerאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִכָּנֵסto enterבּוֹ:it
This halacha discusses the permissibility of using a bathhouse that contains an idol, provided the idol is treated as a mere decoration rather than a deity.
הל׳ יט
שְׁחִיטָה וַחֲתִיכָה בְּסַכִּין שֶׁל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 19 · Slaughtering and Cutting Meat with a Knife of Idol Worship
סַכִּיןA knifeשֶׁלofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִיםworshipשֶׁשָּׁחַטthat one slaughteredבָּהּwith itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat he isמְקַלְקֵל.damagingוְאִםand ifהָיְתָהit wasבְּהֵמָהan animalמְסֻכֶּנֶתin dangerהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat he isמְתַקֵּןimprovingוַהֲרֵיand beholdזֶהthisהַתִּקּוּןimprovementמֵהֲנָאַתis from benefit ofמְשַׁמְּשֵׁיaccessories ofעֲבוֹדַתidolכּוֹכָבִים.worshipוְכֵןand likewiseאָסוּרit is forbiddenלַחְתֹּךְto cutבָּהּwith itבָּשָׂרmeatמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאthat he isמְתַקֵּןimprovingוְאִםand ifחָתַךְhe cutדֶּרֶךְby way ofהֶפְסֵדlossוְהַשְׁחָתָהand destructionמֻתָּר:it is permitted
This halacha discusses when using a knife associated with idol worship is permitted based on whether the act improves or damages the item.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter outlines the dual obligations of destroying avodah zarah and avoiding any benefit from it. We learn that in Eretz Yisrael, there is an active mitzvah to seek out and eradicate idol worship, whereas in the diaspora, the obligation applies to conquered areas. Furthermore, the Rambam establishes that deriving any benefit from an idol, its accessories, or its offerings is strictly forbidden, carrying a double measure of lashes. This prohibition is so absolute that it extends to every part of an animal sacrificed to an idol, including its hide, bones, and hooves, all of which are completely forbidden for use.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The Torah is teaching us a profound lesson about the nature of spiritual poison. When it comes to avodah zarah, the Torah does not just tell us to avoid worshiping it; we are commanded to destroy it, to hunt it down in Eretz Yisrael, and we are strictly forbidden from deriving even the slightest benefit from it. Even the ashes of a burned idol remain forbidden. Why such extreme measures? Because some things are so spiritually toxic that they cannot be managed, compromised with, or safely kept in our lives. If we leave even a small trace of them, they will eventually pull us down.
In our personal avodah, we all have our own 'avodah zarah', those negative habits, toxic environments, or improper influences that pull us away from Hashem and damage our yiras Shamayim. Sometimes we try to compromise. We think, 'I won't let it control me, I'll just keep a little piece of it around,' or 'I can handle being in this environment without it affecting me.' The halachah of eradicating avodah zarah teaches us that this is a dangerous mistake. True spiritual safety requires a complete break. We must eradicate the negative influence entirely from our lives and our homes, leaving no residue behind.
Identify one negative influence, improper media, or toxic habit in your life today that you have been trying to 'manage' rather than eliminate, and make a firm decision to completely remove it from your home and your life.