הלכות עבודה זרה וחוקות הגויים ח׳Foreign Worship and Customs of the Nations 8

Halacha 1א׳

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:

Anything which cannot be handled or made by a human being, even though it is worshipped, is permitted to be used. Hence, mountains and hills, trees originally planted for their fruit, public springs and cattle, though worshipped by idolaters, are permitted to be used. Fruits that had been worshipped, while they were unsevered, may be eaten as also flesh of a beast that had been worshipped. Needless to add, a beast that had only been set apart for idolatrous purposes may be eaten, whether it had been set apart to be worshipped or to be offered up as a sacrifice. The rule that the beast does not become forbidden to be used, applies if one had done nothing to it for the sake of idolatry. But if one has done anything to it, however insignificant, he renders it forbidden. For example, if one slaughters a beast and severs either of its vessels (the trachea or oesophagus) for the sake of idolatry, or exchanges it for an object of idolatrous worship, he renders it forbidden. Such is also the rule if one exchanges it for something for which an idolatrous object had been exchanged; for all the things successively exchanged have become monetary equivalents of an idolatrous object. These rules only apply to a beast that is the property of the individual who did these acts. But if one slaughters, with idolatrous intent, a beast belonging to another person, or exchanges it for an object of idolatrous worship, it does not become forbidden, since a person cannot cause that which is not his property to become forbidden. A man who prostrates himself to the soil in its natural state does not render in forbidden. But he renders it forbidden, if he digs in it pits, ditches or caves.

Halacha 2ב׳

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

If one prostrates himself to water carried by a wave, he does not render it forbidden. But if one took water in his hand and prostrated himself to it, he renders it forbidden. Mountain rocks that have become loosened and have been worshipped while still in their original situation, are permitted to be used, because they have not been handled by a human being.

Halacha 3ג׳

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:

If an Israelite set up a brick, in order to worship it, but did not do so, and a gentile came and prostrated himself before it, he renders it forbidden to be used, the setting up constituting the act (requisite to show the Israelite's intent that is should be worshipped).** Otherwise, the gentile could not render prohibited that which does not belong to him (VII. 4). So too, if he set up an egg and a Gentile came and prostrated himself before it, he renders it forbidden to be used. If he cut a pumpkin or any thing similar, and worshipped it, he renders it forbidden to be used. If he worshipped half a pumpkin while the other half is still attached to it, the latter is forbidden to be used; because it is uncertain whether it is to be regarded as accessory to the half that was worshipped. A tree that was planted, from the outset, for the purpose of being worshipped, is forbidden to be used. This is the Asherah, mentioned in the Torah. If a tree had already been planted, and then was cut down and trimmed to serve as an idol, or even if a branch of it was forced into the ground and covered with soil or if it was grafted on another tree, and in either case produced twigs, these twigs are to be severed and are forbidden to be used, but the rest of the tree is permitted. So too, if any one worships a tree, although its trunk does not become forbidden, all twigs, leaves, shoots, and fruit which it produces, during the time that it is worshipped, are forbidden to be used. If Gentiles guard the fruit of a tree, declaring that it is intended to be converted into strong drink for a certain idolatrous temple, and they actually do make a strong drink of the fruit and drink it on their feast, the tree is forbidden to be used, because it is assumed to be an Asherah (idolatrous tree) and they deal thus with its fruit, because such is the ordinance of the Asherah.

Halacha 4ד׳

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:

A tree, beneath which an idol was set up, may not be used, as long as the idol is there. Once the idol has been removed, the tree is permitted to be used, because it is not the object worshipped. A house which a gentile erected, with the original intent that it be worshipped, or a house already erected, that anyone worships, is forbidden to be used. If it had already been erected and was, for idolatrous purposes, plastered and ornamented so that it was renovated, the renovation is to be removed and may not be used, because it was made for idolatrous worship, but the rest of the structure is permitted to be used. If an idol was brought into a house—as long as it is there, the house is forbidden to be used; after it has been removed, the house may again be used. A stone, originally hewed to be worshipped, is forbidden to be used. If it had already been hewed and was then painted and decorated, that it might be worshipped, even if the decorations are in the stone itself and, needless to say, if these are only superficial, the added decorations are to be removed and are forbidden, since they were made for worship, but the rest of the stone is permitted to be used.

Halacha 5ה׳

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:

A stone upon which an idol was set may not be used as long as the idol is on it. After the idol had been removed, it may be used. If one owned a house adjoining an idolatrous temple, and the house fell down, it may not be rebuilt. How should the owner act ? He should withdraw within the bounds of his own property and there rebuild the dwelling. The intervening empty space should be filled up with thorns or dirt, so that the area of the idolatrous temple will not be enlarged. If there was a party wall belonging to him and to the idol, he should consider the wall as divided in halves. The half on his side may be used. That on the side of the idol is wholly forbidden. Its stones, wood and earth are all forbidden to be used.

Halacha 6ו׳

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

How are idols and other things such as its utensils and offerings, that are forbidden on its account, to be destroyed ? They are to be ground to powder and then scattered to the winds, or burnt and cast into the Dead Sea.** that is, utterly destroyed.

Halacha 7ז׳

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:

Objects, in the making of which human hands have had no part, such as mountains, cattle, trees, though worshipped, may nevertheless be used. The covering of any such objects, however, is forbidden to be used. Whoever makes the least use of such covering is punished with stripes, as it is said, "Thou shalt not covet the silver or the gold that is on them" (Deut. 7:25). Any cover of an idol comes within the category of its appurtenances.

Halacha 8ח׳

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:

An idol belonging to idolaters which they had annulled (repudiated as an object of worship), before it passed into an Israelite's possession, may be used, as it is said "the images of their gods ye shall burn with fire" (Ibid. 7:25); that it is to say, only if they are treated as divine at the time when they come into our hands, are they to be destroyed, but if the idolaters had already declared them null, they are permitted to be used.

Halacha 9ט׳

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:

An idol belonging to an Israelite can never be nullified. Even if an idolater is part-owner, the latter's nullification is of no avail, but it remains for ever forbidden to be used and must be concealed. So too, if an idol belonging to an idolater came into an Israelite's possession and was subsequently nullified by the idolater, the nullification is of no avail; the idol remains for ever forbidden. An Israelite cannot nullify an idol even with the idolater's permission. An idolater, who is a minor or mentally defective, cannot nullify an idol. If an idolater nullified an idol, belonging to him or to other idolaters, even if he did so under duress, and even if it was an Israelite that forced him, the object loses its idolatrous character, provided that the gentile who annulled it is actually an idol-worshipper. Nullification by one not actually an idol-worshipper is of no avail. The nullification of an idol nullifies its accessories. If the accessories were nullified, they may be used, but the idol itself remains forbidden as hitherto, until it has been nullified. Offerings to an idol can never be nullified.

Halacha 10י׳

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:

How does one nullify an idol ? If one chipped the tip of its ear, the tip of its nose, or its finger-tip, hammered in its face, even without loss of substance, or sold it to an Israelite who is a worker in metals, it is nullified. But if one pledged it or sold it to an idolater, or to an Israelite who is not a metal worker, or if débris fell upon it which the owner did not clear away, or if it had been stolen by robbers and no attempt has been made to reclaim it, or if one expectorated or urinated before it, or dragged it or threw ordure at it, it is not nullified.

Halacha 11י״א

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:

An idol abandoned by its worshippers during a time of peace is permitted to be used, because it has been nullified (by the abandonement). If this has taken place in wartime, it remains forbidden, because the abandonment was on account of the war. If an idol had got broken of itself, its fragments are forbidden to be used, until the idol is nullified. Hence, if one finds fragments of an idol, they may not be used, for possibly the idolaters had not nullified it. If it consisted of parts that an unskilled person can put together, each of them must be separately nullified. If an unskilled person cannot put them together, the nullification of any limb of the idol makes all the fragments null.

Halacha 12י״ב

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:

An idolatrous altar that was damaged remains forbidden to be used till the larger part of it has been shattered by idolaters. A sacrificial hearth** According to Rashi, Aboda Zara 16a sub voce בימסאות “hearth” stones for for sacrifices. that was damaged is permitted to be used. What is the distinction between a hearth and an altar ? A hearth consists of a single stone; an altar, of many stones. How are the stones of the idol Mercury nullified ? As soon as an idolater has used them in erecting a building or in paving a road, and so forth, they are permitted to be used. How is the Asherah (an idolatrous tree) nullified ? As soon as the idolater plucked a leaf from it, cut off one of its shoots, took from it a stick or rod, or removed the bark when this was not necessary, it loses its idolatrous character. If this procedure was needed by the tree, it remains prohibited, but the shavings are permitted to be used. If the tree belonged to an Israelite, whether the scraping was necessary or not, the tree as well as the shavings are for ever forbidden to be used, because the idol of an Israelite can never lose its idolatrous character.