Avodah Zarah 81

Rabbah said: The dispute is [with regard to statues] in villages, but as for those which are in cities all agree that they are permitted. What is the reason [for their being permitted]? They are made for ornamentation.

But is there anyone [who says that the images set up] in villages are made merely for ornamentation? Those in the villages are certainly made to be worshipped!

Rather if it was said, this is how it was said: Rabbah said: They dispute [with regard to statues] in cities; but as for those in But the sages declare, [an image] is not prohibited etc.

A staff, for this implies that it rules the whole world as with a staff. A bird, because this implies that it grasps the whole world as though it were a bird. An orb, because this implies that it grasps the whole world as though it were a ball. villages all agree that they are prohibited.

A Tanna taught: They added a sword, a crown, or a ring.

A sword — at first they thought that it is just the emblem of a robber, but later they thought that it has the power of killing the whole world.

A crown — at first they thought it is just a woven wreath, but they thought it is like the crown of a king. A ring — at first they thought that it is just a signet rign, but later they thought that it symbolizes the power of sealing [the fate of] the whole world for death.

Rabban Shimon b. Gamaliel. A Tanna taught: Even [if it has in its hand] a pebble or chip of wood.

R. Ashi asked: What is the rule if it held excrement in its hand? Do we say that [the intention is that] it shows contempt for all people as though they were filth, or perhaps [the meaning is] that it is held in contempt by all as though it were filth? The question remains unanswered.

One who finds fragments of images, behold they are permitted. If one found the figure of a hand or the figure of a foot, behold it is prohibited because such an object is worshipped.

GEMARA. Shmuel said: Even fragments of idols [are permitted]. But have we not learned: fragments of images? The same law applies even to fragments of idols.

And the reason the mishnah uses the phrase “fragments of images” is because it wants to teach the second clause, If one found the figure of a hand or the figure of a foot, behold it is prohibited because such an object is worshipped.

We learned [in the Mishnah]: if one found the figure of a hand or the figure of a foot, behold it is prohibited because such an object is worshipped. But why [should they be prohibited]?