Commentary for Avodah Zarah 86:12
התם בחותמו בולט ומשום חשדא דתניא טבעת שחותמה בולט אסור להניחה ומותר לחתום בה חותמה שוקע מותר להניחה ואסור לחתום בה
That was a case of a protruding seal and because of suspicion [that it might be worshipped, Shmuel objected to it]; for it has been taught: A signet-ring which has a protruding ring, it is forbidden to wear it, but it is permitted to seal with it; and if the signet is sunk in, one may put the ring on but not seal with it.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The ring that they made for R. Judah had a protruding seal, and it is prohibited to wear such a ring. One should not wear such a ring because it looks like an idol. But one can seal with such a ring because the image is sunken in, and therefore does not look so much like an image.
But if the ring’s image is sunken in, then it is permitted to wear it, but one may not sign with it, because such a sign would be protruding. In short, protruding images are prohibited, but sunken ones are not.
But if the ring’s image is sunken in, then it is permitted to wear it, but one may not sign with it, because such a sign would be protruding. In short, protruding images are prohibited, but sunken ones are not.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy