Commentary for Avodah Zarah 83:12
ורבא אמר לעולם כי פחסה ישראל נמי בטלה אלא גזרה דלמא מגבה לה והדר מבטיל לה והוי עבודת כוכבים ביד ישראל וכל עבודת כוכבים ביד ישראל אינה בטלה לעולם
Rava said: In reality when an Israelite only defaces it, it is also annulled; But they prohibited this lest he lift it up and then annul it. In that event it would be an idol in the possession of an Israelite, and an idol which is in the possession of an Israelite can never be annulled.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
According to Rava, theoretically an Israelite can annul the idol by defacing it. However, the rabbis did not allow this lest when he picks the idol up, it comes into his possession. An idol owned by a Jew can never be annulled.
Rava is really only arguing with Abaye. As far as our larger argument goes, both Abaye and Rava agree that if a Jew were to smash the idol of a non-Jew, it would be annulled. So too, according to Resh Lakish, if the idol broke on its own.
Rava is really only arguing with Abaye. As far as our larger argument goes, both Abaye and Rava agree that if a Jew were to smash the idol of a non-Jew, it would be annulled. So too, according to Resh Lakish, if the idol broke on its own.
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