Mishneh Torah, Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations Chapter 8

Chapter 8

א כָּל שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת יַד אָדָם וְלֹא עֲשָׂהוּ אָדָם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁנֶּעֱבַד הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה. לְפִיכָךְ עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים הָעוֹבְדִים אֶת הֶהָרִים וְאֶת הַגְּבָעוֹת וְאֶת הָאִילָנוֹת הַנְּטוּעִין מִתְּחִלָּתָן לְפֵרוֹת וְאֶת הַמַּעְיָנוֹת הַנּוֹבְעִין לָרַבִּים וְאֶת הַבְּהֵמָה הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרִין בַּהֲנָאָה וּמֻתָּר לֶאֱכל אוֹתָן הַפֵּרוֹת שֶׁנֶּעֶבְדוּ בִּמְקוֹם גְּדִילָתָן וְאוֹתָהּ הַבְּהֵמָה. וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר הַבְּהֵמָה שֶׁהֻקְצַת לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁהִיא מֻתֶּרֶת בַּאֲכִילָה בֵּין שֶׁהִקְצוּהָ לְעָבְדָהּ בֵּין שֶׁהִקְצוּהָ לְהַקְרִיבָהּ הֲרֵי זוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים שֶׁאֵין הַבְּהֵמָה נֶאֱסֶרֶת בְּשֶׁלֹּא עָשָׂה בָּהּ מַעֲשֶׂה לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֲבָל עָשָׂה בָּהּ מַעֲשֶׂה כָּל שֶׁהוּא אֲסָרָהּ. כֵּיצַד, כְּגוֹן שֶׁשָּׁחַט בָּהּ סִימָן לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים. עֲשָׂאָהּ חֲלִיפִין לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֲסָרָהּ. וְכֵן חֲלִיפֵי חֲלִיפִין. מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנַּעֲשִׂים דְּמֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים. בַּמֶּה דְּבָרִים אֲמוּרִים בְּבֶהֱמַת עַצְמוֹ. אֲבָל אִם שָׁחַט בֶּהֱמַת חֲבֵרוֹ לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אוֹ הֶחֱלִיפָהּ לֹא נֶאֶסְרָה שֶׁאֵין אָדָם אוֹסֵר דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ שֶׁלּוֹ. הַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לְקַרְקַע עוֹלָם לֹא אֲסָרָהּ. חָפַר בָּהּ בּוֹרוֹת שִׁיחִין וּמְעָרוֹת לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֲסָרָהּ:

1 All that which can not be seized by the hand of man, and man made it not, although it is being worshiped, is permissive property. Therefore, idolaters who worship mountains, hills, trees originally planted for fruit-production, public springs, or cattle, all such are permissive property, and the fruit worshiped at the place of its growth, and such cattle may be eaten; needless to say that a cattle designated to idolatry may be eaten, regardless of whether it was designated to be worshiped or sacrificed, for such is permissive property. Whenceonward is it said that a cattle does not become forbidden property? Prior to any act done to it in the name of idolatry; but after the least act was done to it, it becomes forbidden thereby. For example? If he severed one of its carotides in the name of idolatry. If he made barter therewith to use the proceeds thereof for idolatry, he made it forbidden property, and so is also the proceeds out of that barter, because it becomes the capital of idolatry. Whereat are these words directed? At his own cattle; but if he slaughtered his neighbor's cattle to idolatry, or exchanged it, it does not become forbidden property, because no man can make forbidden property out of something which is not his. One who bows down to ownerless land, does not make it forbidden property; if he dug therein wells, pits, or caves to the worship of idolatry, it does become forbidden property.

ב מַיִם שֶׁעֲקָרָן הַגַּל וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהֶן לֹא אֲסָרָן. נְטָלָן בְּיָדוֹ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהֶן אֲסָרָן. אַבְנֵי הַר שֶׁנִּדַּלְדְּלוּ וַעֲבָדָן בִּמְקוֹמָם מֻתָּרוֹת שֶׁהֲרֵי אֵין בָּהֶן תְּפִיסַת יַד אָדָם:

2 Water carried out of a stream by a wave, if one bows down to it, he does not make it forbidden property; if he take out the water by his hand and bows down to it, he does make it forbidden property. Stones of a mountain which became loosened and one worshiped them at their original place, are permissive property, as there was no seizure of man's hand on them.

ג יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁזָּקַף לְבֵנָה לְהִשְׁתַּחֲווֹת לָהּ וְלֹא הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ וּבָא עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ אֲסָרָהּ בַּהֲנָאָה שֶׁזְּקִיפָתָהּ מַעֲשֶׂה. וְכֵן אִם זָקַף בֵּיצָה וּבָא עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ אֲסָרָהּ. חָתַךְ דְּלַעַת וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּהּ וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לָהּ אֲסָרָהּ. הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה לַחֲצִי דְּלַעַת וַחֲצִי הָאַחֵר מְעֹרֶה בּוֹ הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר מִסָּפֵק שֶׁמָּא זֶה הַחֵצִי כְּמוֹ יָד לַחֵצִי הַנֶּעֱבָד. אִילָן שֶׁנְּטָעוֹ מִתְּחִלָּה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה נֶעֱבָד אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה וְזוֹ הִיא אֲשֵׁרָה הָאֲמוּרָה בַּתּוֹרָה. הָיָה אִילָן נָטוּעַ וּגְדָעוֹ וּפְסָלוֹ לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֲפִלּוּ הִבְרִיךְ וְהִרְכִּיב בְּגוּפוֹ שֶׁל אִילָן וְהוֹצִיא שָׂרִיגִים כּוֹרֵת אֶת הַשָּׂרִיגִים וְהֵם אֲסוּרִים בַּהֲנָאָה וּשְׁאָר הָאִילָן מֻתָּר. וְכֵן הַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לְאִילָן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא נֶאֱסַר גּוּפוֹ כָּל הַשָּׂרִיגִים וְהֶעָלִים וְהַלּוּלָבִין וְהַפֵּרוֹת שֶׁיּוֹצִיא כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהוּא נֶעֱבָד הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ אֲסוּרִין בַּהֲנָאָה. אִילָן שֶׁהָיוּ הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים מְשַׁמְּרִין אֶת פֵּרוֹתָיו וְאוֹמְרִים שֶׁהֵם מוּכָנִים לַעֲשׂוֹת שֵׁכָר לְבֵית עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים פְּלוֹנִי וְעוֹשִׂין מֵהֶן שֵׁכָר וְשׁוֹתִים אוֹתוֹ בְּיוֹם חַגָּם הֲרֵי זֶה הָאִילָן אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁסְּתָמוֹ שֶׁהוּא אֲשֵׁרָה וּלְפִיכָךְ עוֹשִׂין בְּפֵרוֹתָיו כָּךְ שֶׁזּוֹ הִיא חֻקָּהּ שֶׁל אֲשֵׁרָה:

3 If an Israelite placed a brick erect to bow down to it but did not bow down to it, and then came an idolater and did bow down to it, he made it forbidden property, as placing it erect is an overt act. Likewise if he place an egg erect and an idolator came and bowed down to it, he made it forbidden property. If he cut a pumpkin, or its like, and bowed down to it, he made it forbidden property. If he bowed down to one half of a pumpkin and the other half is connected thereto even that half is forbidden property, because of the peradventure, lest this half serves as a base for the half which is the object of worship. A tree which was originally planted to be worshiped, is forbidden property; of such is the Asherah mentioned in the Torah. If a planted tree was cut down and dedicated to the name of idolatry, though he propagated its trunk by grafting and crossing and it budded and branches grew upon it, he merely cuts off the branches, which are forbidden property, but the rest of the tree is permissive property. Likewise is a tree worshiped by an individual, although its trunk did not become forbidden property, all branches, leaves, boughs and fruit which it brings forth as long as it is worshiped are forbidden property. A tree, the fruit of which was guarded by idolaters, saying that they are preparing to make thereof strong drink for a given house of idolatry, and they do make strong drink thereof and drink it on their holiday, is forbidden property, because it is plain that it is an Asherah, for they therefore treat its fruit in such manner, as that is the method of the Asherah.

ד אִילָן שֶׁמַּעֲמִידִין תַּחְתָּיו עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהִיא תַּחְתָּיו אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. נְטָלָהּ מִתַּחְתָּיו הֲרֵי זֶה מֻתָּר מִפְּנֵי שֶׁאֵין הָאִילָן עַצְמוֹ הוּא הַנֶּעֱבָד. בַּיִת שֶׁבְּנָאוֹ הָעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים מִתְּחִלָּה שֶׁיְּהֵא הַבַּיִת עַצְמוֹ נֶעֱבָד וְכֵן הַמִּשְׁתַּחֲוֶה לְבַיִת בָּנוּי הֲרֵי זֶה אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. הָיָה בָּנוּי וְסִיְּדוֹ וְכִיְּרוֹ לְשֵׁם עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים עַד שֶׁנִּתְחַדֵּשׁ נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ וְהַחִדּוּשׁ אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁעֲשָׂאָהוּ לְעָבְדוֹ וּשְׁאָר הַבַּיִת מֻתָּר. הִכְנִיס עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים לְתוֹךְ הַבַּיִת כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהִיא שָׁם הַבַּיִת אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. הוֹצִיאָהּ הֻתַּר הַבַּיִת. וְכֵן אֶבֶן שֶׁחֲצָבָהּ מִתְּחִלָּה לְעָבְדָהּ אֲסוּרָה בַּהֲנָאָה. הָיְתָה חֲצוּבָה וְצִיְּרָהּ וְכִיְּרָהּ שֶׁתֵּעָבֵד אֲפִלּוּ צִיֵּר וְכִיֵּר בְּגוּף הָאֶבֶן וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר אִם כִּיֵּר עָלֶיהָ נוֹטֵל מַה שֶּׁחִדֵּשׁ וְהוּא אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה הוֹאִיל וְנַעֲשָׂה שֶׁיֵּעָבֵד וּשְׁאָר הָאֶבֶן מֻתָּר:

4 A tree, beneath which an idol is erected, as long as it is beneath it, it is forbidden property; if it be removed from beneath it it becomes permissive property, because it is not the tree itself which is worshiped. A house which was originally built by idolaters for the sake of worshiping it, and similarly if a built house is worshiped, it is forbidden property. If a built house was plastered and decorated anew and dedicated to the name of idolatry, all that which was added to it for its renovation may be removed, and the material thereof is forbidden property because it was made for the purpose of worship, but the rest of the house is permissive property. If one brings an idol into a house, as long as it is there, the house is forbidden property; if he removed it the house becomes permissive property. Likewise is a stone, originally hewn to worship it, forbidden property. If the stone was hewn, and thereafter it was tattooed and painted for worship, even if the tattooing and decorating were done on the body of the stone itself, the renovation may be removed, and that is forbidden property as it was made for the sake of worship, but the rest of the stone is permissive property.

ה אֶבֶן שֶׁהֶעֱמִיד עָלֶיהָ עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הֲרֵי זוֹ אֲסוּרָה כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהִיא עָלֶיהָ. סֻלְּקָה הָאֶבֶן מֻתֶּרֶת. מִי שֶׁהָיָה בֵּיתוֹ סָמוּךְ לַעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וְנָפַל אָסוּר לִבְנוֹתוֹ. כֵּיצַד יַעֲשֶׂה. כּוֹנֵס לְתוֹךְ שֶׁלּוֹ וּבוֹנֶה וְאוֹתוֹ הָרֶוַח מְמַלְּאֵהוּ קוֹצִים אוֹ צוֹאָה. כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יַרְחִיב לְבֵית עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים. הָיָה הַכֹּתֶל שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים יִדּוֹן מֶחֱצָה לְמֶחֱצָה, מֶחֱצָה שֶׁלּוֹ מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה וְשֶׁל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הַכּל אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה. אֲבָנָיו עֵצָיו וַעֲפָרוֹ הַכּל אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה:

5 A stone whereupon an idol was placed, as long as it remains upon it, it is forbidden property; if the stone was removed from thereunder, it becomes permitted property. If a house near a house of idolatry fell in, its owner, is forbidden to reconstruct it. What can he do to save his property? He moves on his own line and builds his house, and the space between he either fills in with thistles or makes a lavatory thereon, so as not to yield space to a house of idolatry. If the wall was of joint ownership the law of half and half should be applicable thereto, his half is permitted property and that of the idolatry is forbidden property, including everything, even its stones, wood, sand and all accessories thereof is forbidden property.

ו כֵּיצַד מְאַבֵּד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וּשְׁאָר דְּבָרִים הָאֲסוּרִים בִּגְלָלָהּ כְּגוֹן מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ וְתִקְרֹבֶת שֶׁלָּהּ. שׁוֹחֵק וְזוֹרֶה לָרוּחַ אוֹ שׂוֹרֵף וּמֵטִיל לְיָם הַמֶּלַח:

6 How is one to destroy idolatry and all other property forbidden on its account, such as things made for its service or for offerings thereto? He either pulverizes it and strews it to the wind, or burns it and casts the ashes into the Dead Sea.

ז דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ תְּפִיסַת יַד אָדָם שֶׁנֶּעֱבַד כְּגוֹן הָרִים וּבְהֵמָה וְאִילָן אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהַנֶּעֱבָד עַצְמוֹ מֻתָּר בַּהֲנָאָה צִפּוּיוֹ אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה וְהַנֶּהֱנֶה בְּכָל שֶׁהוּא מֵהֶן לוֹקֶה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ז כה) "לֹא תַחְמֹד כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עֲלֵיהֶם". וְכָל צִפּוּיֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הֲרֵי הֵן בִּכְלַל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ:

7 Something which no human hand can seize that was worshiped, for instance mountains, cattle, or tree, although the object itself is permitted property, the decoration thereof is forbidden property, and whosoever enjoys aught thereof is striped; for it is said: "Thou shalt not covet the silver or gold that is on them" (Deut. 7.25). And, all decorations of idolatry are included among the things made for its service.

ח עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁבִּטְּלוּהָ קֹדֶם שֶׁתָּבוֹא לִידֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֲרֵי זוֹ מֻתֶּרֶת בַּהֲנָאָה שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ז כה) "פְּסִילֵי אֱלֹהֵיהֶם תִּשְׂרְפוּן בָּאֵשׁ", כְּשֶׁבָּאוּ לְיָדֵינוּ וְהֵן נוֹהֲגִין בָּהֶם אֱלֹהוּת, אֲבָל אִם בִּטְּלוּם הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרִין:

8 An idol, the owner whereof was an idolater, which was nullified by him before it came into possession of an Israelite, even such is permitted property; for, it is said: "The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire" (Ibid.); such shall be done when they reach our hands as they follow the custom of godliness toward them; but if they were nullified by them they are permitted property.

ט עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינָהּ בְּטֵלָה לְעוֹלָם אֲפִלּוּ הָיָה לְעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים בָּהּ שֻׁתָּפוּת אֵין בִּטּוּלוֹ מוֹעִיל כְּלוּם אֶלָּא אֲסוּרָה בַּהֲנָאָה לְעוֹלָם וּטְעוּנָה גְּנִיזָה. וְכֵן עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁבָּאת לְיַד יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאַחַר כָּךְ בִּטְּלָהּ הָעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים אֵין בִּטּוּלוֹ מוֹעִיל כְּלוּם אֶלָּא אֲסוּרָה בַּהֲנָאָה לְעוֹלָם. וְאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל מְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים וַאֲפִלּוּ בִּרְשׁוּת עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים. עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים קָטָן אוֹ שׁוֹטֶה אֵינוֹ מְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים. וְעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁבִּטֵּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים בֵּין שֶׁלּוֹ בֵּין שֶׁל עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים אֲחֵרִים בְּעַל כָּרְחוֹ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאֲנָסוֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל כָּךְ הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּטֵלָה. וּבִלְבַד שֶׁיְּהֵא הָעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים הַמְבַטֵּל עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים. אֲבָל מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֵין בִּטּוּלוֹ בִּטּוּל. הַמְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים בִּטֵּל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ. בִּטֵּל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ מֻתָּרִים וְהִיא אֲסוּרָה בַּהֲנָאָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁהָיְתָה עַד שֶׁיְּבַטְּלֶנָּה. וְתִקְרֹבֶת עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים אֵינָהּ בְּטֵלָה לְעוֹלָם:

9 An idol, the owner whereof is an Israelite, can never be nullified, even when an idolator had a partnership therein will his nullification be of no aid, but it remains forbidden property forever, and must be hidden. Likewise an idol, the owner whereof was an idolator, which came into the hand of an Israelite, after which the idolater nullified it, his nullification is of no aid but it remains forbidden property forever. An Israelite can not nullify idols, even with the consent of an idolater. An infant, or insane idolater can not nullify idols. An idolater, who nullified an idol, whether it was his own or the property of another idolater, under duress, though it be an Israelite who forced him thereto, the nullification stands, provided, however, that the idolater who nullified be himself a worshiper of idols, for the nullification of him who does not worship idols himself is no nullification. One who nullifies an idol its paraphernalia, too, is nullified; but if he nullifies its paraphernalia, they are permitted property but the idol itself is forbidden property as theretofore until he will nullify it. That which was designated as offering to idolatry can never be nullified.

י כֵּיצַד מְבַטְּלָהּ. קָטַע רֹאשׁ חָטְמָהּ רֹאשׁ אָזְנָהּ רֹאשׁ אֶצְבָּעָהּ פָּחֲסָה בְּפָנֶיהָ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא חִסְּרָהּ אוֹ שֶׁמְּכָרָהּ לְצוֹרֵף יִשְׂרָאֵל הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּטֵלָה. אֲבָל אִם מִשְׁכְּנָהּ אוֹ מְכָרָהּ לְעוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים אוֹ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁאֵינוֹ צוֹרֵף אוֹ שֶׁנָּפְלָה עָלֶיהָ מַפּלֶת וְלֹא פִּנָּה. גְּנָבוּהָ לִסְטִים וְלֹא תְּבָעוּהָ. רָקַק בְּפָנֶיהָ. הִשְׁתִּין בְּפָנֶיהָ. גְּרָרָהּ. זָרַק בָּהּ אֶת הַצּוֹאָה הֲרֵי זוֹ אֵינָהּ בְּטֵלָה:

10 How does the idolater nullify it? If he cut off the tip of its nose, the tip of its ear, the first joint of its finger, or if he squeezed in its face though he diminished it not, or if he sold it to a goldsmith who is an Israelite, such are acts of nullification. But if he pawned it, or sold it to an idolater, or to an Israelite who is not a goldsmith, or if debris fell upon it and he did not clean it, or if robbers stole it and he made no effort to recover it; if he expectorated before it, or micturated before it; dragged it, or cast feces at it, such are not acts of nullification.

יא עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁהֱנִיחוּהָ עוֹבְדֶיהָ בִּשְׁעַת שָׁלוֹם מֻתֶּרֶת בַּהֲנָאָה שֶׁהֲרֵי בִּטְּלוּהָ. בִּשְׁעַת מִלְחָמָה אֲסוּרָה מִפְּנֵי שֶׁלֹּא הֱנִיחוּהָ אֶלָּא מִפְּנֵי הַמִּלְחָמָה. עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁנִּשְׁבְּרָה מֵאֵלֶיהָ שְׁבָרֶיהָ אֲסוּרִים בַּהֲנָאָה עַד שֶׁיְּבַטְּלוּהָ. לְפִיכָךְ הַמּוֹצֵא שִׁבְרֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ אֲסוּרִין בַּהֲנָאָה שֶׁמָּא לֹא בִּטְּלוּהָ הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים. וְאִם הָיְתָה שֶׁל פְּרָקִים וְהֶדְיוֹט יָכוֹל לְהַחֲזִירָם צָרִיךְ לְבַטֵּל כָּל פֶּרֶק וּפֶרֶק מִפְּרָקֶיהָ וְאִם אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְהַחֲזִיר כֵּיוָן שֶׁבִּטֵּל אֵיבָר אֶחָד מִמֶּנָּה בָּטְלוּ כָּל הַשְּׁבָרִים:

11 An idol whose worshipers abandoned it at a time of peace is permitted property, for it is evident that they nullified it; but in war time it is forbidden property, because they did not abandon it save on account of the war. An idol which was broken of itself, its fragments are forbidden property until it will be nullified. Therefore, whosoever finds fragments of idols must know that they are forbidden property, lest the idolator did not nullify it. If the fragments consisted of joints and a non-artisan can restore them, each and every joint needs nullification, but if he can not replace, as soon as one of its joints was nullified all fragments were nullified.

יב מִזְבַּח עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁנִּפְגַּם עֲדַיִן הוּא אָסוּר בַּהֲנָאָה עַד שֶׁיִּנָּתֵץ רֻבּוֹ בְּיַד עוֹבֵד כּוֹכָבִים. וּבִימוֹס שֶׁנִּפְגַּם מֻתָּר. אֵי זֶהוּ בִּימוֹס וְאֵי זֶהוּ מִזְבֵּחַ. בִּימוֹס אֶבֶן אַחַת. מִזְבֵּחַ אֲבָנִים הַרְבֵּה. וְכֵיצַד מְבַטְּלִין אַבְנֵי מַרְקוּלִיס. כֵּיוָן שֶׁבָּנָה מֵהֶם בִּנְיָן אוֹ חִפָּה בָּהֶן אֶת הַדְּרָכִים וְכַיּוֹצֵא בְּאֵלּוּ הֲרֵי הֵן מֻתָּרִים בַּהֲנָאָה. כֵּיצַד מְבַטְּלִים אֶת הָאֲשֵׁרָה. קִרְסֵם מִמֶּנָּה עָלֶה אוֹ זָרַק מִמֶּנָּה יוֹנֵק נָטַל מִמֶּנָּה מַקֵּל אוֹ שַׁרְבִיט אוֹ שֶׁשְּׁפָאָהּ שֶׁלֹּא לְצָרְכָּהּ הֲרֵי זוֹ בְּטֵלָה. שְׁפָאָהּ לְצָרְכָּהּ הִיא אֲסוּרָה וּשְׁפָאֶיהָ מֻתָּרִים. וְאִם הָיְתָה שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל בֵּין לְצָרְכָּהּ בֵּין שֶׁלֹּא לְצָרְכָּהּ בֵּין הִיא וּבֵין שְׁפָאֶיהָ אֲסוּרָה לְעוֹלָם שֶׁעֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל אֵין לָהּ בִּטּוּל לְעוֹלָם:

12 An altar of idolatry which was damaged, continues to be forbidden property until most of it will be demolished by the hand of an idolator; if a pedestal was damaged it becomes permitted property. What is a pedestal and what is an altar? A pedestal is made of one stone, and an altar of many stones. How are Mercury stones nullified? As soon as they were used as material in a building, or plastered roads with them, or other like utilization, they become permitted property. How is an Asherah nullified? If he lops off a leaf or casts away a twig, or takes cane or rod therefrom, or if he pruned it when it had no need for it, such do nullify it. If he pruned it for its own sake, it remains forbidden property but its prunning is permitted property. If it belong to an Israelite, whether it was its own sake or not for its own sake, both it and its prunning are forever forbidden property, because no idol owned by an Israelite can ever be nullified.

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