Commentary for Avodah Zarah 103:3
ורבי ישמעאל אשכחן עבודת כוכבים של עובד כוכבים דאין אסורה עד שתעבד דישראל דאסורה מיד מנא ליה סברא הוא מדעובד כוכבים עד שתעבד דישראל אסורה מיד אימא דישראל כלל וכלל לא השתא גניזה בעיא איתסורי לא מיתסרא
We have explained why R. Ishmael holds that the idol of an idolater is not prohibited until it is worshipped; but from where does he derive that the idol of an Israelite is prohibited immediately? It is common sense that if when it belongs to an idolater [it is not prohibited] until it is worshipped, when it belongs to an Israelite it should be prohibited immediately But say that when it belongs to an Israelite it is not prohibited at all! Since it has to be disposed of, how can it not be prohibited!
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Last week we saw a midrash which explained why R. Ishmael holds that the idol of an idolater is prohibited only once it is worshipped. But what about the second half of his statement—that an idol made by a Jew is prohibited immediately.
The Talmud seems to think that this is just common sense. Below we will examine the other possibilities as to when this idol becomes prohibited. It’s not really common sense but rather process of elimination.
The Talmud seems to think that this is just common sense. Below we will examine the other possibilities as to when this idol becomes prohibited. It’s not really common sense but rather process of elimination.
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Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Since we know (from elsewhere) that an idol made by a Jew must be disposed of (it requires geniza) we cannot say that it may be permitted.
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