Translation:Shulchan Aruch/Yoreh Deah/146

Contains 15 Seif.

Idols of a non-Jew that were nullified by a non-Jew are permitted, but a Jew cannot nullify idols of a non-Jew, and certainly not those of a Jew, which cannot be nullified forever. Even if a non-Jew has a partnership with a Jew in the idol, the nullification by the non-Jew does not benefit the Jew's part.

Even idols of a non-Jew that came into the possession of a Jew and he acquired them cannot be nullified. This applies to the idols themselves, but accessories and decorations of idols, if they came into the possession of a Jew and were then nullified by a non-Jew, are permitted.

If one buys scrap metal (i.e., broken metal utensils) from a non-Jew and finds idols among them, if he paid money but did not take possession, he should return them to the non-Jew. Similarly, if he took possession but did not pay, even though taking possession by a non-Jew constitutes acquisition, it is considered a mistaken transaction. If he paid and took possession, he should throw them into the Dead Sea.

A convert and a non-Jew who inherited from their non-Jewish father, the convert can say to the non-Jew, "You take the idols, and I will take the money." But once the idols come into the possession of the convert, it is forbidden.

A non-Jew can nullify idols even if they are not his, and even if he does not worship those idols, and even against his will, provided he knows the nature of idols. But a minor who does not know the nature of idols, a fool, or someone who does not worship idols, such as a resident alien, cannot nullify them.

(Muslims, who do not worship idols, cannot nullify them) (Beit Yosef in the name of Rambam, Chapter 8).

How does one nullify an idol? If he took a stick or even a single leaf from the Asherah tree for his use, it is nullified. Both the Asherah tree itself and the branches taken from it are permitted. But if he took the branches for the tree's benefit, i.e., to beautify it, it is not nullified, and it is forbidden, but the branches are permitted.

If a non-Jew cut off the head of an idol's ear, nose, or finger, or if he crushed its face, even though it is not missing any part, it is nullified. If he crushed it not on its face and it is not missing, or if he spat on its face, urinated on it, dragged it, or threw excrement on it, it is not nullified.

Rema: Some say that even nullification by mere speech is considered nullification, but if it was nullified under duress, it is not nullified until an act is done to its body, as explained (Mordechai, Chapter "All Idols" in the name of Ra'avyah).

If he sold or pawned it, even to a Jewish goldsmith, it is not nullified. Some permit it if it is to a Jewish goldsmith.

Rema: Accessories of idol worship, if pawned or sold, are considered nullified (as implied in Tur, Siman 139, and as written by Beit Yosef).

If a collapse occurred on it and it was not cleared, or if it was stolen by thieves and not reclaimed, it is not nullified.

If its worshippers abandoned it and left during peacetime, it is permitted. During wartime, it is forbidden unless they cannot return to it. But if they could return and did not, it is permitted.

Idols of a non-Jew that broke on their own, their fragments are forbidden for use until they are nullified. Therefore, if one finds fragments of idols, they are forbidden for use, lest the non-Jew did not nullify them. If it was made of parts and a layman can reassemble it, each part must be nullified. If it cannot be reassembled, once one part is nullified, all fragments are nullified.

An altar of idols that was damaged is still forbidden until most of it is dismantled by a non-Jew. A platform that was damaged is permitted. What is a platform and what is an altar? A platform is a single stone; an altar is many stones.

If one nullifies idols, their accessories are also nullified. (Even if they are already in the possession of a Jew, they are nullified with the idol in the possession of the non-Jew) (Mordechai, Chapter "Rav Yehuda" and as written by Ran in the name of Ra'avad). If one nullifies the accessories, the idol itself is not nullified.

It is a commandment for anyone who finds idols to destroy and obliterate them. How does one destroy them? By grinding and scattering them to the wind or throwing them into the sea.

(The same applies to their accessories and anything made for them, as it is said, "You shall surely destroy all the places" (Deuteronomy 12)) (Beit Yosef in the name of Rambam).

One must root out idols and give them a derogatory name.