Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, we learn the fundamental guidelines regarding what can and cannot become forbidden as an idol. Hashem made a beautiful world, and the Sages teach us a major yesod: anything that has not been manipulated or made by man—such as mountains, hills, rivers, and animals—does not become forbidden for our use, even if misguided people actually bowed down to them and worshiped them as deities.
We will also learn the specific conditions under which these natural objects can become forbidden. For instance, we look at what happens if a person performs a physical action on an animal for the sake of an idol, or if someone digs into the earth to alter it for a pagan deity, as well as the important halachic rule that a person cannot make his friend's property forbidden without his consent.
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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דְּבָרִים שֶׁנֶּעֶבְדוּ וְאֵינָם נֶאֱסָרִים בַּהֲנָאָהHalacha 1 · Objects of Idol Worship That Are Permitted for Benefit
כָּלAnyשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבּוֹin itתְּפִיסַתmanipulation ofיַדhand ofאָדָםmanוְלֹאand notעֲשָׂהוּmade itאָדָםmanאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁנֶּעֱבַדthat it was worshipedהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitלְפִיכָךְthereforeעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהָעוֹבְדִיםwho worshipאֶת—הֶהָרִיםthe mountainsוְאֶתand —הַגְּבָעוֹתthe hillsוְאֶתand —הָאִילָנוֹתthe treesהַנְּטוּעִיןthat were plantedמִתְּחִלָּתָןfrom their beginningלְפֵרוֹתfor fruitוְאֶתand —הַמַּעְיָנוֹתthe springsהַנּוֹבְעִיןthat flowלָרַבִּיםfor the publicוְאֶתand —הַבְּהֵמָהthe animalהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִיןare permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוּמֻתָּרand it is permittedלֶאֱכלto eatאוֹתָןthemהַפֵּרוֹתthe fruitsשֶׁנֶּעֶבְדוּthat were worshipedבִּמְקוֹםin the place ofגְּדִילָתָןtheir growthוְאוֹתָהּand thatהַבְּהֵמָה.animalוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalשֶׁהֻקְצַתthat was set asideלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁהִיאthat itמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedבַּאֲכִילָהfor eatingבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהִקְצוּהָthat they set it asideלְעָבְדָהּto worship itבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁהִקְצוּהָthat they set it asideלְהַקְרִיבָהּto sacrifice itהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisמֻתֶּרֶת.is permittedבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidשֶׁאֵיןthatהַבְּהֵמָהthe animalנֶאֱסֶרֶתis not forbiddenבְּשֶׁלֹּאin that notעָשָׂהhe didבָּהּto itמַעֲשֶׂהan actionלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲבָלbutעָשָׂהif he didבָּהּto itמַעֲשֶׂהan actionכָּלanyשֶׁהוּאthat it isאֲסָרָהּ.he forbade itכֵּיצַד,how soכְּגוֹןfor exampleשֶׁשָּׁחַטthat he slaughteredבָּהּin itסִימָןa signלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsעֲשָׂאָהּor made itחֲלִיפִיןan exchangeלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסָרָהּ.he forbade itוְכֵןand likewiseחֲלִיפֵיthe exchange ofחֲלִיפִין.an exchangeמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנַּעֲשִׂיםthat they becomeדְּמֵיthe value ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsבַּמֶּהIn whatדְּבָרִיםwordsאֲמוּרִיםare saidבְּבֶהֱמַתregarding the animal ofעַצְמוֹ.himselfאֲבָלbutאִםifשָׁחַטhe slaughteredבֶּהֱמַתthe animal ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowלַעֲבוֹדַתfor worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאוֹorהֶחֱלִיפָהּexchanged itלֹאnotנֶאֶסְרָהit is forbiddenשֶׁאֵיןsince notאָדָםa manאוֹסֵרforbidsדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאֵינוֹthat is notשֶׁלּוֹ.hisהַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶהOne who bows downלְקַרְקַעto ground ofעוֹלָםthe worldלֹאnotאֲסָרָהּ.he forbade itחָפַרif he dugבָּהּin itבּוֹרוֹתpitsשִׁיחִיןditchesוּמְעָרוֹתand cavesלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲסָרָהּ:he forbade it
This halacha outlines which natural objects and animals do not become forbidden when worshiped, and under what conditions human actions render them prohibited.
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דִּין מַיִם וְאַבְנֵי הַר שֶׁנֶּעֶבְדוּHalacha 2 · The Status of Worshiped Water and Detached Mountain Stones
מַיִםWaterשֶׁעֲקָרָןthat uprooted themהַגַּלthe waveוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהand he bowed downלָהֶןto themלֹאhe did notאֲסָרָן.forbid themנְטָלָןif he took themבְּיָדוֹin his handוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהand he bowed downלָהֶןto themאֲסָרָן.he forbade themאַבְנֵיstones ofהַרa mountainשֶׁנִּדַּלְדְּלוּthat detachedוַעֲבָדָןand he worshiped themבִּמְקוֹמָםin their placeמֻתָּרוֹתthey are permittedשֶׁהֲרֵיsinceאֵיןthere is notבָּהֶןin themתְּפִיסַתmanipulation ofיַדthe hand ofאָדָם:man
This halacha delineates when natural elements like water and stones become forbidden through worship, based on whether they were manipulated by human hands.
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דִּין אֲשֵׁרָה וְאִילָן הַנֶּעֱבָד וְתַקְרוֹבֶת עֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 3 · The Laws of an Asherah Tree, Worshiped Trees, and Objects Set Aside for Idolatry
יִשְׂרָאֵלA Jewשֶׁזָּקַףwho stood upלְבֵנָהa brickלְהִשְׁתַּחֲווֹתto bow downלָהּto itוְלֹאand did notהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהbow downלָהּto itוּבָאand cameעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהand bowed downלָהּto itאֲסָרָהּhe made it forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitשֶׁזְּקִיפָתָהּbecause its standing upמַעֲשֶׂה.is an actionוְכֵןand soאִםifזָקַףhe stood upבֵּיצָהan eggוּבָאand cameעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהand bowed downלָהּto itאֲסָרָהּ.he made it forbiddenחָתַךְIf he cutדְּלַעַתa gourdוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהּof itוְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהand bowed downלָהּto itאֲסָרָהּ.he made it forbiddenהִשְׁתַּחֲוָהIf he bowed downלַחֲצִיto half ofדְּלַעַתa gourdוַחֲצִיand the halfהָאַחֵרotherמְעֹרֶהis attachedבּוֹto itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenמִסָּפֵקout of doubtשֶׁמָּאlestזֶהthisהַחֵצִיhalfכְּמוֹis likeיָדa handleלַחֵצִיfor the halfהַנֶּעֱבָד.that was worshipedאִילָןA treeשֶׁנְּטָעוֹthat one planted itמִתְּחִלָּהfrom the beginningשֶׁיִּהְיֶהthat it should beנֶעֱבָדworshipedאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְזוֹand thisהִיאisאֲשֵׁרָהan asherahהָאֲמוּרָהthe one spoken ofבַּתּוֹרָה.in the TorahהָיָהIf there wasאִילָןa treeנָטוּעַplantedוּגְדָעוֹand he pruned itוּפְסָלוֹand carved itלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲפִלּוּeven ifהִבְרִיךְhe bent a branchוְהִרְכִּיבand graftedבְּגוּפוֹinto the bodyשֶׁלofאִילָןthe treeוְהוֹצִיאand it producedשָׂרִיגִיםshootsכּוֹרֵתhe cuts offאֶת—הַשָּׂרִיגִיםthe shootsוְהֵםand theyאֲסוּרִיםare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהָאִילָןthe treeמֻתָּר.is permittedוְכֵןAnd soהַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶהone who bows downלְאִילָןto a treeאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notנֶאֱסַרwas forbiddenגּוּפוֹits bodyכָּלallהַשָּׂרִיגִיםthe shootsוְהֶעָלִיםand the leavesוְהַלּוּלָבִיןand the young branchesוְהַפֵּרוֹתand the fruitsשֶׁיּוֹצִיאthat it producesכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהוּאthat itנֶעֱבָדis worshipedהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseאֲסוּרִיןare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitאִילָןA treeשֶׁהָיוּthat wereהָעוֹבְדֵיthe worshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמְשַׁמְּרִיןguardingאֶת—פֵּרוֹתָיוits fruitsוְאוֹמְרִיםand sayingשֶׁהֵםthat theyמוּכָנִיםare designatedלַעֲשׂוֹתto makeשֵׁכָרbeerלְבֵיתfor the house ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsפְּלוֹנִיof so-and-soוְעוֹשִׂיןand they makeמֵהֶןfrom themשֵׁכָרbeerוְשׁוֹתִיםand drinkאוֹתוֹitבְּיוֹםon the day ofחַגָּםtheir festivalהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisהָאִילָןtreeאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁסְּתָמוֹthe presumption of itשֶׁהוּאis that itאֲשֵׁרָהis an asherahוּלְפִיכָךְand thereforeעוֹשִׂיןthey doבְּפֵרוֹתָיוwith its fruitsכָּךְsoשֶׁזּוֹsince thisהִיאisחֻקָּהּthe custom ofשֶׁלofאֲשֵׁרָה:an asherah
This halacha details how objects and trees become forbidden for benefit through acts of preparation and worship by Jews and non-Jews.
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אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִבַּיִת וְאֶבֶן וְאִילָן שֶׁנֶּעֶבְדוּHalacha 4 · Prohibition of Benefit from a House, Stone, or Tree Used for Idol Worship
אִילָןA treeשֶׁמַּעֲמִידִיןthat they placeתַּחְתָּיוunder itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsכָּלallזְמַןtimeשֶׁהִיאthat it isתַּחְתָּיוunder itאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitנְטָלָהּif he removed itמִתַּחְתָּיוfrom under itהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisמֻתָּרis permittedמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁאֵיןthat notהָאִילָןthe treeעַצְמוֹitselfהוּאisהַנֶּעֱבָד.the worshiped objectבַּיִתA houseשֶׁבְּנָאוֹthat built itהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsמִתְּחִלָּהfrom the beginningשֶׁיְּהֵאthat should beהַבַּיִתthe houseעַצְמוֹitselfנֶעֱבָדworshipedוְכֵןand likewiseהַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶהone who bows downלְבַיִתto a houseבָּנוּיbuiltהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitהָיָהIf it wasבָּנוּיbuiltוְסִיְּדוֹand he plastered itוְכִיְּרוֹand he decorated itלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsעַדuntilשֶׁנִּתְחַדֵּשׁit was renovatedנוֹטֵלhe removesמַהwhatשֶּׁחִדֵּשׁhe renovatedוְהַחִדּוּשׁand the renovationאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁעֲשָׂאָהוּthat he made itלְעָבְדוֹto worship itוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהַבַּיִתthe houseמֻתָּר.is permittedהִכְנִיסIf he brought inעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsלְתוֹךְintoהַבַּיִתthe houseכָּלallזְמַןtimeשֶׁהִיאthat it isשָׁםthereהַבַּיִתthe houseאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitהוֹצִיאָהּif he removed itהֻתַּרis permittedהַבַּיִת.the houseוְכֵןAnd likewiseאֶבֶןa stoneשֶׁחֲצָבָהּthat he quarried itמִתְּחִלָּהfrom the beginningלְעָבְדָהּto worship itאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitהָיְתָהIf it wasחֲצוּבָהquarriedוְצִיְּרָהּand he drew on itוְכִיְּרָהּand he decorated itשֶׁתֵּעָבֵדthat it be worshipedאֲפִלּוּevenצִיֵּרif he drewוְכִיֵּרand decoratedבְּגוּףon the body ofהָאֶבֶןthe stoneוְאֵיןand there is noצָרִיךְneedלוֹמַרto sayאִםifכִּיֵּרhe decoratedעָלֶיהָupon itנוֹטֵלhe removesמַהwhatשֶּׁחִדֵּשׁhe renovatedוְהוּאand itאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitהוֹאִילsinceוְנַעֲשָׂה·שֶׁיֵּעָבֵדit was madeוּשְׁאָרto be worshipedהָאֶבֶןand the rest ofמֻתָּר:the stone
This halacha details when a tree, house, or stone becomes forbidden for benefit due to being worshiped or having an idol placed within or under them.
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דִּין אֶבֶן שֶׁהֶעֱמִיד עָלֶיהָ עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וְכֹתֶל הַסָּמוּךְ לָהּHalacha 5 · Laws of a Stone Used for Idolatry and a Wall Adjacent to an Idol's Temple
אֶבֶןA stoneשֶׁהֶעֱמִידthat he placedעָלֶיהָupon itעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁהִיאthat it isעָלֶיהָ.upon itסֻלְּקָהif it was removedהָאֶבֶןthe stoneמֻתֶּרֶת.is permittedמִיOneשֶׁהָיָהwhoseבֵּיתוֹhouse wasסָמוּךְadjacentלַעֲבוֹדַתto worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוְנָפַלand it fellאָסוּרit is forbiddenלִבְנוֹתוֹ.to rebuild itכֵּיצַדHowיַעֲשֶׂה.shall he doכּוֹנֵסHe withdrawsלְתוֹךְintoשֶׁלּוֹhis ownוּבוֹנֶהand buildsוְאוֹתוֹand thatהָרֶוַחspaceמְמַלְּאֵהוּhe fills itקוֹצִיםwith thornsאוֹorצוֹאָה.excrementכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat he should notיַרְחִיבexpandלְבֵיתfor the house ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsהָיָהIf it wasהַכֹּתֶלthe wallשֶׁלּוֹhisוְשֶׁלand ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsיִדּוֹןit is judgedמֶחֱצָהhalfלְמֶחֱצָה,to halfמֶחֱצָהHisשֶׁלּוֹhalfמֻתָּרis permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְשֶׁלand ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהַכּלthe wholeאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitאֲבָנָיוIts stonesעֵצָיוits woodוַעֲפָרוֹand its dustהַכּלthe wholeאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָה:for benefit
This halacha details the status of a stone base for an idol and the restrictions on rebuilding a wall adjacent to or shared with an idolatrous temple.
הל׳ ו
כֵּיצַד מְאַבְּדִין עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָHalacha 6 · How to Destroy an Idol and Its Accessories
כֵּיצַדHowמְאַבֵּדdoes one destroyעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofדְּבָרִיםthe thingsהָאֲסוּרִיםthat are forbiddenבִּגְלָלָהּon its accountכְּגוֹןsuch asמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָits accessoriesוְתִקְרֹבֶתand the offeringשֶׁלָּהּ.of itשׁוֹחֵקHe grindsוְזוֹרֶהand scattersלָרוּחַto the windאוֹorשׂוֹרֵףburnsוּמֵטִילand castsלְיָםinto the Sea ofהַמֶּלַח:Salt
This halacha details the specific methods required to completely destroy and dispose of idols and their forbidden accessories.
הל׳ ז
אִסּוּר הֲנָאָה מִצִּפּוּיֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 7 · The Prohibition of Benefiting from the Coatings of an Idol
דָּבָרAn objectשֶׁאֵיןthat there is notבּוֹin itתְּפִיסַתgraspיַדof the handאָדָםof manשֶׁנֶּעֱבַדthat was worshipedכְּגוֹןsuch asהָרִיםmountainsוּבְהֵמָהand an animalוְאִילָןand a treeאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁהַנֶּעֱבָדthat the worshiped objectעַצְמוֹitselfמֻתָּרis permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitצִפּוּיוֹits coatingאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitוְהַנֶּהֱנֶהand one who benefitsבְּכָלin any amountשֶׁהוּאthat it isמֵהֶןfrom themלוֹקֶהreceives lashesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimז7כה25"לֹאDo notתַחְמֹדcovetכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldעֲלֵיהֶם".upon themוְכָלand allצִפּוּיֵיcoatings ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyבִּכְלַלare in the category ofמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ:its accessories
This halacha teaches that although natural objects worshiped as idols remain permitted for benefit, any artificial coatings applied to them are strictly forbidden.
הל׳ ח
עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁבִּטְּלָהּHalacha 8 · A Star Deity of a Non-Jew That Was Nullified Before Entering Jewish Possession
עֲבוֹדַתWorship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁבִּטְּלוּהָthat they nullified itקֹדֶםbeforeשֶׁתָּבוֹאthat it comesלִידֵיinto the hand ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimז7כה25"פְּסִילֵי"The carved images ofאֱלֹהֵיהֶםtheir godsתִּשְׂרְפוּןyou shall burnבָּאֵשׁ",with fire"כְּשֶׁבָּאוּwhen they cameלְיָדֵינוּinto our handsוְהֵןand theyנוֹהֲגִיןbehaveבָּהֶםwith themאֱלֹהוּת,as a deityאֲבָלbutאִםifבִּטְּלוּםthey nullified themהֲרֵיbeholdאֵלּוּtheseמֻתָּרִין:are permitted
This halacha teaches that a non-Jew's idol is permitted for benefit if it was nullified before coming into Jewish hands.
הל׳ ט
בִּטּוּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְשֶׁל עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִיםHalacha 9 · Nullification of an Idol Belonging to a Jew or a Non-Jew
עֲבוֹדַתWorship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאֵינָהּis notבְּטֵלָהnullifiedלְעוֹלָםforeverאֲפִלּוּeven ifהָיָהthere wasלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבָּהּin itשֻׁתָּפוּתa partnershipאֵיןthere is notבִּטּוּלוֹhis nullificationמוֹעִילeffectiveכְּלוּםat allאֶלָּאratherאֲסוּרָהit is forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitלְעוֹלָםforeverוּטְעוּנָהand requiresגְּנִיזָה.entombmentוְכֵןand so tooעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁבָּאתthat cameלְיַדto the hand ofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatבִּטְּלָהּhe nullified itהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֵיןthere is notבִּטּוּלוֹhis nullificationמוֹעִילeffectiveכְּלוּםat allאֶלָּאratherאֲסוּרָהit is forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitלְעוֹלָם.foreverוְאֵיןand notיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewמְבַטֵּלnullifiesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבִּרְשׁוּתin the domain ofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsקָטָןa minorאוֹorשׁוֹטֶהa foolאֵינוֹdoes notמְבַטֵּלnullifyעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוְעוֹבֵדand a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁבִּטֵּלwho nullifiedעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלּוֹhis ownבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלofעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֲחֵרִיםothersבְּעַלagainstכָּרְחוֹhis willאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאֲנָסוֹcoerced himיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewעַלuponכָּךְthisהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisבְּטֵלָה.is nullifiedוּבִלְבַדand onlyשֶׁיְּהֵאthat he beהָעוֹבֵדthe worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsהַמְבַטֵּלwho nullifiesעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsאֲבָלbutמִיoneשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֵיןthere is notבִּטּוּלוֹhis nullificationבִּטּוּל.a nullificationהַמְבַטֵּלone who nullifiesעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsבִּטֵּלnullifiedמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ.its accessoriesבִּטֵּלnullifiedמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָits accessoriesמְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָits accessoriesמֻתָּרִיםare permittedוְהִיאand itאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁהָיְתָהit wasעַדuntilשֶׁיְּבַטְּלֶנָּה.he nullifies itוְתִקְרֹבֶתand an offering ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאֵינָהּis notבְּטֵלָהnullifiedלְעוֹלָם:forever
This halacha details who has the power to nullify an idol and its accessories, and when such nullification is ineffective.
הל׳ י
כֵּיצַד מְבַטְּלִין עֲבוֹדָה זָרָהHalacha 10 · How an Idol is Nullified and Actions That Do Not Constitute Nullification
כֵּיצַדHowמְבַטְּלָהּ.does he nullify itקָטַעHe cut offרֹאשׁthe tip ofחָטְמָהּits noseרֹאשׁthe tip ofאָזְנָהּits earרֹאשׁthe tip ofאֶצְבָּעָהּits fingerפָּחֲסָהhe flattenedבְּפָנֶיהָits faceאַףevenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁלֹּאthat notחִסְּרָהּhe diminished itאוֹorשֶׁמְּכָרָהּthat he sold itלְצוֹרֵףto a smithיִשְׂרָאֵלwho is a Jewהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisבְּטֵלָה.is nullifiedאֲבָלButאִםifמִשְׁכְּנָהּhe gave it as securityאוֹorמְכָרָהּhe sold itלְעוֹבֵדto a worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsאוֹorלְיִשְׂרָאֵלto a Jewשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notצוֹרֵףa smithאוֹorשֶׁנָּפְלָהthat there fellעָלֶיהָupon itמַפּלֶתdebrisוְלֹאand notפִּנָּה.he cleared it awayגְּנָבוּהָthieves stole itלִסְטִיםrobbersוְלֹאand notתְּבָעוּהָ.he demanded itרָקַקhe spatבְּפָנֶיהָ.in its faceהִשְׁתִּיןhe urinatedבְּפָנֶיהָ.in its faceגְּרָרָהּ.he dragged itזָרַקhe threwבָּהּat itאֶת—הַצּוֹאָהthe excrementהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisאֵינָהּis notבְּטֵלָה:nullified
This halacha details the physical actions that successfully nullify an idol's status and those that merely express temporary anger without nullifying it.
הל׳ יא
בִּטּוּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁהֻנְּחָה אוֹ שֶׁנִּשְׁבְּרָהHalacha 11 · Nullification of an Abandoned or Broken Idol
עֲבוֹדַתAn idolכּוֹכָבִים·שֶׁהֱנִיחוּהָthat left itעוֹבְדֶיהָits worshipersבִּשְׁעַתin a time ofשָׁלוֹםpeaceמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitשֶׁהֲרֵיfor surelyבִּטְּלוּהָ.they nullified itבִּשְׁעַתIn a time ofמִלְחָמָהwarאֲסוּרָהit is forbiddenמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁלֹּאthat notהֱנִיחוּהָthey left itאֶלָּאexceptמִפְּנֵיbecause ofהַמִּלְחָמָה.the warעֲבוֹדַתAn idolכּוֹכָבִים·שֶׁנִּשְׁבְּרָהthat brokeמֵאֵלֶיהָby itselfשְׁבָרֶיהָits piecesאֲסוּרִיםare forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitעַדuntilשֶׁיְּבַטְּלוּהָ.that they nullify itלְפִיכָךְThereforeהַמּוֹצֵאone who findsשִׁבְרֵיpieces ofעֲבוֹדַתan idolכּוֹכָבִיםbeholdהֲרֵיtheseאֵלּוּare forbiddenאֲסוּרִיןfor benefitבַּהֲנָאָהlestשֶׁמָּאnotלֹאthey nullified itבִּטְּלוּהָthe worshipers ofהָעוֹבְדֵיstarsכּוֹכָבִים.And ifוְאִםit wasהָיְתָהofשֶׁלjointsפְּרָקִיםand a laymanוְהֶדְיוֹטis ableיָכוֹלto reassemble themלְהַחֲזִירָםhe mustצָרִיךְnullifyלְבַטֵּלeveryכָּלjointפֶּרֶקand jointוּפֶרֶקof its jointsמִפְּרָקֶיהָAnd ifוְאִםhe is notאֵינוֹableיָכוֹלto reassembleלְהַחֲזִירonceכֵּיוָןthat he nullifiedשֶׁבִּטֵּלlimbאֵיבָרoneאֶחָדfrom itמִמֶּנָּהare nullifiedבָּטְלוּallכָּלthe piecesהַשְּׁבָרִים:—
This halacha details the status of an idol abandoned during peace or war, and the laws of nullifying broken pieces of an idol.
הל׳ יב
בִּטּוּל מִזְבֵּחַ וּבִימוֹס וְאַבְנֵי מַרְקוּלִיס וַאֲשֵׁרָהHalacha 12 · Nullifying Altars, Platforms, Stones of Marculis, and Asherah Trees
מִזְבַּחAn altar ofעֲבוֹדַתworship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁנִּפְגַּםthat was damagedעֲדַיִןstillהוּאitאָסוּרis forbiddenבַּהֲנָאָהfor benefitעַדuntilשֶׁיִּנָּתֵץthere is smashedרֻבּוֹits majorityבְּיַדby the hand ofעוֹבֵדa worshiper ofכּוֹכָבִים.starsוּבִימוֹסbut a platformשֶׁנִּפְגַּםthat was damagedמֻתָּר.is permittedאֵיwhichזֶהוּisבִּימוֹסa platformוְאֵיand whichזֶהוּisמִזְבֵּחַ.an altarבִּימוֹסa platformאֶבֶןstoneאַחַת.is oneמִזְבֵּחַan altarאֲבָנִיםstonesהַרְבֵּה.is manyוְכֵיצַדAnd howמְבַטְּלִיןdoes one nullifyאַבְנֵיthe stones ofמַרְקוּלִיס.Marculisכֵּיוָןonceשֶׁבָּנָהthat he builtמֵהֶםfrom themבִּנְיָןa buildingאוֹorחִפָּהpavedבָּהֶןwith themאֶת—הַדְּרָכִיםthe roadsוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבְּאֵלּוּof theseהֲרֵיbeholdהֵןtheyמֻתָּרִיםare permittedבַּהֲנָאָה.for benefitכֵּיצַדHowמְבַטְּלִיםdoes one nullifyאֶת—הָאֲשֵׁרָה.the asherahקִרְסֵםIf he trimmedמִמֶּנָּהfrom itעָלֶהa leafאוֹorזָרַקprunedמִמֶּנָּהfrom itיוֹנֵקa shootנָטַלtookמִמֶּנָּהfrom itמַקֵּלa stickאוֹorשַׁרְבִיטa staffאוֹorשֶׁשְּׁפָאָהּthat he planed itשֶׁלֹּאnotלְצָרְכָּהּfor its benefitהֲרֵיbeholdזוֹthisבְּטֵלָה.is nullifiedשְׁפָאָהּIf he planed itלְצָרְכָּהּfor its benefitהִיאitאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenוּשְׁפָאֶיהָbut its shavingsמֻתָּרִים.are permittedוְאִםAnd ifהָיְתָהit wasשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewבֵּיןwhetherלְצָרְכָּהּfor its benefitבֵּיןwhetherשֶׁלֹּאnotלְצָרְכָּהּfor its benefitבֵּיןwhetherהִיאitוּבֵיןor whetherשְׁפָאֶיהָits shavingsאֲסוּרָהis forbiddenלְעוֹלָםforeverשֶׁעֲבוֹדַתbecause worship ofכּוֹכָבִיםstarsשֶׁלofיִשְׂרָאֵלa Jewאֵיןhas noלָהּfor itבִּטּוּלnullificationלְעוֹלָם:forever
This halacha details how different objects of idol worship, such as altars, platforms, Marculis stones, and asherah trees, are nullified, noting that an idol belonging to a Jew can never be nullified.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter establishes that natural, unaltered creations like mountains, springs, and animals remain permitted for benefit even if they were worshiped. However, if a person performs a physical action on an animal for an idol (such as shearing it or cutting a sign of shechitah), or exchanges it for an idol, it becomes forbidden—provided it is his own animal, as one cannot forbid another person's property. Similarly, while bowing to the earth does not forbid it, digging pits or channels in the ground for the sake of a false deity alters the land and renders those changes forbidden.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
The deep chiddush of this sugya lies in the boundary between what is untouched and what has been manipulated by human hands. The Rambam teaches us that the natural world, the mountains, the springs, the trees, and the animals, cannot become forbidden as an idol, even if people worshiped them, because "there is no manipulation by human hands." But the moment a person performs even a small action on an object, or exchanges it, he stamps his own intention onto it and changes its status.
This contains a profound lesson for our daily avodah. Hashem created a beautiful, pure world, and He gave us a pure neshama that is naturally drawn to holiness. But Hashem also gave us the power of "tfeisas yad adam", the power of human action and choice. With a single action, a person can take something neutral and elevate it to a mitzvah, or, chas v'shalom, drag it down into the realm of the forbidden. Our actions are not light things; they stamp a spiritual reality onto the physical world around us.
Look at how much power Hashem put into your hands. Just as a negative action can ruin, a positive action has the power to sanctify. When you use your hands to give tzedakah, your mouth to speak words of Torah, or your home to host guests, you are taking the physical world and stamping it with the seal of the King. You are choosing not to let the world remain merely "natural," but to actively make it a dwelling place for the Shechinah.
Today, make a conscious effort to stamp one physical action with holy intention. Before you eat, make a berachah with real focus, or use your hands to do a physical favor for another Yid, consciously dedicating that action to the service of Hashem.