Commentary for Avodah Zarah 91:16

קא סלקא דעתך להשתחוות לה והשתחוה לה וקא מיבעיא ליה האי זקיפתה אי הוי מעשה אי לא הוי מעשה אבל לא זקף לא מיתסרא ש"מ בני ר' חייא דשרו

You should [currently] understand that he had the intention of worshipping it and did worship it; and the point of [Hizkiyah's] question is whether the setting up of the egg is to be considered an action or not. But if he had not set it up, it is not prohibited. Conclude from that that it was the sons of R. Hiyya who permitted [the use of the boulders]!

Explore commentary for Avodah Zarah 91:16. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.