Commentary for Avodah Zarah 98:18

מתני׳ <big><strong>רבי</strong></big> ישמעאל אומר שלש אבנים זו בצד זו בצד מרקוליס אסורות ושתים מותרות וחכ"א שנראות עמו אסורות ושאין נראות עמו מותרות:

Rabbi Ishmael says: if three stones are lying side by side next to a Merculis (=Mercurius), they are prohibited; if there are two they are permitted. The sages say: if [the stones] are seen to be connected with it they are prohibited, but if they do not appear to be connected with it they are permitted.

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