Commentary for Avodah Zarah 83:17
איתיביה רבי יוסי אומר שוחק וזורה לרוח או מטיל לים אמרו לו אף היא נעשה זבל וכתיב (דברים יג, יח) לא ידבק בידך מאומה מן החרם אמאי תיהוי כעבודת כוכבים שנשתברה מאליה
[R. Yohanan] raised another difficulty against [Resh Lakish]: R. Yose says: He may grind [an idol] to powder and scatter it to the wind or throw it into the sea. They said to him: This also could become manure, and it is stated, “And nothing proscribed should cling to your hand” (Deuteronomy 13:18). Now why [is it not permitted]? Let it be considered the same as an idol which is broken of its own accord!
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The baraita contains a dispute over whether an idol can be destroyed by a Jew by grinding it up to powder. Rabbi Yose finds this acceptable, but the other rabbis worry that one may end up deriving benefit from the idol by doing this. Therefore, they demand that the idol be destroyed by throwing it into the sea.
But again, we could ask. If, as Resh Lakish claims, even an idol that broke on its own can be used by a non-Jew, then why shouldn’t grinding it up be a valid form of annulment, in which case any benefit derived would not be a problem.
Again, the solution follows Rava. He cannot annul it that way lest he come to acquire it.
But again, we could ask. If, as Resh Lakish claims, even an idol that broke on its own can be used by a non-Jew, then why shouldn’t grinding it up be a valid form of annulment, in which case any benefit derived would not be a problem.
Again, the solution follows Rava. He cannot annul it that way lest he come to acquire it.
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