## Avodah Zarah Daf 51a

###### Avodah Zarah 51a:1
[Avodah Zarah 51a:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:1)

חַיָּיב, בִּשְׁלָמָא עָבִיט שֶׁל מֵימֵי רַגְלַיִם — אִיכָּא זְרִיקָה מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת, אֶלָּא צוֹאָה, מַאי זְרִיקָה מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת אִיכָּא? בְּצוֹאָה לַחָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
is **liable,** even though these substances are repugnant, and even when this is not the typical manner of worshipping that idol. **Granted,** when one pours **a chamber pot of urine** before the idol, **there is** an act of **throwing** that **scatters** the offering. **But** in the case of **excrement, what** act of **throwing** that **scatters** the offering **is there?** The Gemara answers: This is stated **with regard to moist excrement,** which breaks apart when thrown.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:2
[Avodah Zarah 51a:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:2)

לֵימָא כְּתַנָּאֵי: שָׁחַט לָהּ חָגָב — רַבִּי יְהוּדָה מְחַיֵּיב, וַחֲכָמִים פּוֹטְרִים.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara suggests: **Let us say** that one’s liability for breaking a stick as a form of idol worship is **the subject of** a dispute between ***tanna’im*:** If one **slaughtered a locust for** an idol, **Rabbi Yehuda deems** him **liable, and the Rabbis deem** him **exempt** from punishment.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:3
[Avodah Zarah 51a:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:3)

מַאי לָאו בְּהָא קָמִיפַּלְגִי, דְּמָר סָבַר: אָמְרִינַן כְּעֵין זְבִיחָה, וּמָר סָבַר: לָא אָמְרִינַן כְּעֵין זְבִיחָה, אֶלָּא כְּעֵין פְּנִים?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**What, is it not about this** issue **that they disagree:** One **Sage,** Rabbi Yehuda, **holds** that **we say** that one is liable even in the case of a rite that merely **resembles slaughtering** an animal, e.g., slaughtering a locust or breaking a stick. **And** one **Sage,** i.e., the Rabbis, **holds** that **we do not say** that it is sufficient for the rite to merely **resemble slaughtering** an animal. **Rather,** the rite must be **like** the type of slaughtering performed **inside** the Temple. One is therefore not liable for slaughtering a locust, since locusts are not slaughtered in the Temple.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:4
[Avodah Zarah 51a:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:4)

לָא, דְּכוּלֵּי עָלְמָא לָא אָמְרִינַן כְּעֵין זְבִיחָה, אֶלָּא כְּעֵין פְּנִים בָּעֵינַן, וְשָׁאנֵי חָגָב הוֹאִיל וְצַוָּארוֹ דּוֹמֶה לְצַוַּאר בְּהֵמָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara rejects this suggestion: **No, everyone** holds that **we do not say** that one is liable even for a rite that merely **resembles slaughtering** an animal. **Rather, we require** the rite to be **like** the type of slaughtering performed **inside** the Temple. **And** the case of **a locust is different, since its neck is similar to** the **neck of an animal.** Rabbi Yehuda therefore considers slaughtering a locust similar to the type of slaughter performed in the Temple.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:5
[Avodah Zarah 51a:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:5)

אָמַר רַב נַחְמָן אָמַר רַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ אָמַר רַב: עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁעוֹבְדִין אוֹתָהּ בְּמַקֵּל, שָׁבַר מַקֵּל בְּפָנֶיהָ — חַיָּיב וְנֶאֱסֶרֶת, זָרַק מַקֵּל לְפָנֶיהָ — חַיָּיב וְאֵינָהּ נֶאֱסֶרֶת.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ **Rav Naḥman says** that **Rabba bar Avuh says** that **Rav says:** In the case of an object of **idol worship that is worshipped by** means of **a stick,** if one **broke a stick before it,** he is **liable and** the stick **is rendered prohibited.** If he **threw a stick before it,** he is **liable,** as its typical manner of worship involves a stick, **but** the stick **is not rendered prohibited.**


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:6
[Avodah Zarah 51a:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:6)

אֲמַר לֵיהּ רָבָא לְרַב נַחְמָן: מַאי שְׁנָא שָׁבַר דְּהָוְיָא לֵיהּ כְּעֵין זְבִיחָה, זָרַק נָמֵי הָוְיָא לֵיהּ כְּעֵין זְרִיקָה! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: בָּעֵינַן זְרִיקָה מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת, וְלֵיכָּא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava said to Rav Naḥman: What is different** about the case where one **broke** a stick? In this case the stick is rendered forbidden **as it is similar to slaughtering** an offering, which is a rite performed in the Temple; so **too,** in the case where one **threw** a stick, **it is similar to** the **sprinkling** of the blood on the altar. Rav Naḥman **said to** Rava: In order for a sacrificial rite to be similar to the sprinkling of blood, **we require** a form of **throwing** that **scatters** the offering, **and** that is **not** the case here.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:7
[Avodah Zarah 51a:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:7)

אֶלָּא מֵעַתָּה, אַבְנֵי בֵּית מַרְקוּלִיס בַּמֶּה יֵאָסְרוּ? אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אַף לְדִידִי קַשְׁיָא לִי, וּשְׁאֵלְתֵּיהּ לְרַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ, וְרַבָּה בַּר אֲבוּהּ לְחִיָּיא בַּר רַב, וְחִיָּיא בַּר רַב לְרַב, וַאֲמַר לֵיהּ: נַעֲשָׂה כִּמְגַדֵּל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Rava asked Rav Naḥman: **If that is so, by what** means are the **stones of a place of** worship dedicated to **Mercury rendered prohibited,** as they do not break apart when they are thrown? Rav Naḥman **said to** Rava: This question **was difficult for me as well, and I asked Rabba bar Avuh** about **it, and Rabba bar Avuh** asked **Ḥiyya bar Rav, and Ḥiyya bar Rav** asked **Rav. And** Rav **said to** Ḥiyya bar Rav: This action **is comparable to** the act of **enlarging** the object of **idol worship.** The stones are not rendered prohibited as an offering brought in idol worship; rather, they are considered part of the pile dedicated to Mercury itself.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:8
[Avodah Zarah 51a:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:8)

הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁל גּוֹי אֲסוּרָה מִיָּד, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר עַד שֶׁתֵּעָבֵד, תִּישְׁתְּרֵי, דְּהָא לָא פַּלְחַהּ! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: כׇּל אַחַת וְאַחַת נַעֲשֵׂית עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, וְתִקְרוֹבֶת לַחֲבֶרְתָּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Rava said to Rav Naḥman: **This works out well according to the one who says** that the object of **idol worship of a gentile** is **prohibited immediately. But according to the one who says** it is not forbidden **until it is worshipped, let it be permitted, as he did not worship it,** since he sacrificed no offering to it. Rav Naḥman **said to** Rava: **Each and every one** of the stones **becomes** part of the object of **idol worship and** is also considered **an offering to the other** stone that preceded it.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:9
[Avodah Zarah 51a:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:9)

אִי הָכִי, בָּתְרָיְיתָא מִיהָא תִּשְׁתְּרֵי! אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אִי יָדְעַתְּ לַהּ, זִיל שִׁקְלַהּ. רַב אָשֵׁי אָמַר: כׇּל אַחַת וְאַחַת נַעֲשֵׂית תִּקְרוֹבֶת לְעַצְמָהּ וְתִקְרוֹבֶת לַחֲבֶרְתָּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
Rava replied: **If so, at least the last** stone **should be permitted,** as nothing has yet been sacrificed to it. Rav Naḥman **said to** Rava: **If you know** which one **it** is, you may **go** and **take it,** as it is indeed permitted. **Rav Ashi says:** Even the last stone is forbidden, as **each and every one** of the stones **becomes an offering to itself and** also **an offering to the other** stone that preceded it.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:10
[Avodah Zarah 51a:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:10)

תְּנַן: מָצָא בְּרֹאשׁוֹ כְּסוּת וּמָעוֹת אוֹ כֵלִים — הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מוּתָּרִין, פַּרְכִּילֵי עֲנָבִים וַעֲטָרוֹת שֶׁל שִׁבֳּלִים וְיֵינוֹת שְׁמָנִים וּסְלָתוֹת וְכׇל דָּבָר שֶׁכַּיּוֹצֵא בּוֹ קָרֵב לְגַבֵּי מִזְבֵּחַ — אָסוּר.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**We learned** in a mishna (51b): If one **found a garment, money, or vessels at the head of** Mercury, **they are permitted,** as they are not an offering but were left there for some other reason. If one found vine **branches [*parkilei*]** laden with clusters **of grapes, or wreaths** made **of stalks, or** containers of **wine, oil, or flour, or any** other **item the like of which is sacrificed on** the **altar** there, that item is **prohibited.**


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:11
[Avodah Zarah 51a:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:11)

בִּשְׁלָמָא יֵינוֹת שְׁמָנִים וּסְלָתוֹת — אִיכָּא כְּעֵין פְּנִים, וְאִיכָּא כְּעֵין זְרִיקָה מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת, אֶלָּא פַּרְכִּילֵי עֲנָבִים וַעֲטָרוֹת שֶׁל שִׁבֳּלִים — לָא כְּעֵין פְּנִים אִיכָּא, וְלָא כְּעֵין זְרִיקָה מִשְׁתַּבֶּרֶת אִיכָּא!

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **Granted,** with regard to **wine, oil, or flour, there is** a sacrificial rite **comparable to** those rites performed **inside** the Temple, **and there is** a rite that is **similar to** the **sprinkling** of blood that **scatters** the offering. **But** in the case of vine **branches** laden with clusters **of grapes, and wreaths** made **of stalks, there is neither** a sacrificial rite **comparable to** those rites performed **inside** the Temple, as these items are not sacrificed on the altar in the Temple, **nor is there** a rite that is **similar to** the **sprinkling** of blood on the altar that **scatters** the offering.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:12
[Avodah Zarah 51a:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:12)

אָמַר רָבָא אָמַר עוּלָּא: כְּגוֹן שֶׁבְּצָרָן מִתְּחִלָּה לְכָךְ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava said** that **Ulla said:** The mishna is referring to a case **where** he **initially picked** the grapes **for that** purpose, in order to sacrifice them in idolatrous worship. The act of picking the fruit is comparable to slaughtering an animal, and it renders them forbidden.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:13
[Avodah Zarah 51a:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:13)

אָמַר רַבִּי אֲבָהוּ אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן: מִנַּיִן לַזּוֹבֵחַ בְּהֵמָה בַּעֲלַת מוּם לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁהוּא פָּטוּר? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״זֹבֵחַ לָאֱלֹהִים יׇחֳרָם בִּלְתִּי לַה׳ לְבַדּוֹ״, לֹא אָסְרָה תּוֹרָה אֶלָּא כְּעֵין פְּנִים.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ **Rabbi Abbahu says** that **Rabbi Yoḥanan says: From where** is it derived **concerning one who slaughters a blemished animal in idolatrous worship that he is exempt?** It is derived from a verse, **as it is stated: “He that sacrifices to the gods, save to the Lord only, shall be utterly destroyed”** (Exodus 22:19). The verse contrasts sacrificing an offering to the Lord with sacrificing an offering to other gods, indicating that **the Torah prohibits only** sacrificial rites that are **comparable to** those rites performed **inside** the Temple, and blemished animals are disqualified from being sacrificed in the Temple.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:14
[Avodah Zarah 51a:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:14)

הָוֵי בֵּהּ רָבָא, בְּמַאי? אִילֵימָא בְּדוּקִּין שֶׁבָּעַיִן — הַשְׁתָּא לִבְנֵי נֹחַ חַזְיָא לְגָבוֹהַּ בְּבָמָה דִּידְהוּ, לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה מִיבַּעְיָא?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rava discussed** this matter: **With regard to what** type of blemish does this apply? **If we say** that it applies **in** the case of a blemish **on the cornea of the eye,** that is difficult: **Now** that such an offering is **fit for descendants of Noah** to offer **to the Most High on their** personal **altar, is** it **necessary** to state that it is considered an offering **with regard to** the prohibition of **idol worship?**


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:15
[Avodah Zarah 51a:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:15)

אֶלָּא בִּמְחוּסַּר אֵבֶר, וְכִדְרַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, דְּאָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מִנַּיִן לִמְחוּסַּר אֵבֶר שֶׁהוּא אָסוּר לִבְנֵי נֹחַ? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וּמִכׇּל הָחַי מִכׇּל בָּשָׂר שְׁנַיִם מִכֹּל״, אָמְרָה תּוֹרָה: הָבֵא בְּהֵמָה שֶׁחַיִּין רָאשֵׁי אֵבָרִין שֶׁלָּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
**Rather,** the *halakha* that one who slaughters a blemished animal in idolatrous worship is exempt is stated **with regard to** an animal that is **lacking a limb, and** it is **in accordance with** the statement **of Rabbi Elazar. As Rabbi Elazar says: From where** is it derived that **with regard to** an animal **that is lacking a limb, it is prohibited for descendants of Noah** to sacrifice it? This is derived from a verse, **as it is stated: “And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every** sort you shall bring into the ark, to keep them alive with you” (Genesis 6:19). **The Torah stated:** “Of every living thing,” indicating that Noah should **bring** into the ark **an animal whose extremities are living,** as some of the animals would subsequently be used as offerings.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:16
[Avodah Zarah 51a:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:16)

הַאי ״וּמִכׇּל הַחַי״ מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְמַעוֹטֵי טְרֵיפָה! מִ״לְּהַחֲיוֹת זֶרַע״ נָפְקָא.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: Isn’t **that** phrase: **“And of every living thing,” required to exclude an animal with a wound that will cause it to die within twelve months [*tereifa*],** which is disqualified as an offering? The Gemara answers: The disqualification of a *tereifa* is **derived from** the verse: “Of the fowl also of the air, seven and seven, male and female, **to keep seed alive** upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 7:3), as a *tereifa* cannot procreate.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:17
[Avodah Zarah 51a:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:17)

הָנִיחָא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: טְרֵיפָה אֵינָהּ יוֹלֶדֶת, אֶלָּא לְמַאן דְּאָמַר: טְרֵיפָה יוֹלֶדֶת, מַאי אִיכָּא לְמֵימַר?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **This works out well according to the one who says** that **a *tereifa* cannot bear offspring. But according to the one who says** that **a *tereifa* can bear offspring, what can be said?** According to this opinion, a *tereifa* cannot be excluded by the phrase “to keep seed alive,” as it can procreate.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:18
[Avodah Zarah 51a:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:18)

אָמַר קְרָא: ״אִתָּךְ״, ״אִתָּךְ״ — בְּדוֹמִין לָךְ. וְדִלְמָא נֹחַ גּוּפֵיהּ טְרֵיפָה הֲוָה! ״תָּמִים״ כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara answers: **The verse states:** “You shall bring into the ark, to keep them alive **with you”** (Genesis 6:19). The term **“with you”** indicates that the verse is referring **to** animals that are **similar to you,** excluding a *tereifa*. The Gemara challenges: **But perhaps Noah himself was a *tereifa*.** In that case, one cannot exclude a *tereifa* from the comparison of animals to Noah. The Gemara explains: **It is written about** Noah that he was “a man righteous and **without blemish”** (Genesis 6:9), indicating that he was physically whole.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:19
[Avodah Zarah 51a:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:19)

דִּלְמָא ״תָּמִים״ בִּדְרָכָיו! ״צַדִּיק״ כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara challenges: **Perhaps** the term **“without blemish”** is referring **to his conduct,** and not to his physical attributes. The Gemara explains: The term **“righteous” is written about him,** indicating that his conduct was faultless, and therefore the term “without blemish” is necessarily referring to his physical completeness.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:20
[Avodah Zarah 51a:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:20)

דִּלְמָא ״תָּמִים״ בִּדְרָכָיו, וְ״צַדִּיק״ בְּמַעֲשָׂיו! לָא מָצֵית אָמְרַתְּ דְּנֹחַ גּוּפֵיהּ טְרֵיפָה הֲוָה, דְּאִי סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ נֹחַ טְרֵיפָה הֲוָה, אֲמַר לֵיהּ רַחֲמָנָא: דִּכְוָותָךְ עַיֵּיל, שַׁלְמִין לָא תְּעַיֵּיל?

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara challenges: **Perhaps** the term **“without blemish”** is referring **to his conduct, and** the term **“righteous”** is referring **to his** good **deeds.** The Gemara explains: **You cannot say that Noah himself was a *tereifa*, as, if it enters your mind** to say that **Noah was a *tereifa*,** you must say that **the Merciful One said to** Noah: **Bring** into the ark animals **that are similar to you,** i.e., *tereifot*, but **do not bring whole,** unblemished animals, and this is clearly not reasonable.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:21
[Avodah Zarah 51a:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:21)

הַשְׁתָּא דְּנָפְקָא מֵ״אִתָּךְ״, ״לְהַחֲיוֹת זֶרַע״ לְמָה לִי? אִי מֵ״אִתָּךְ״, הֲוָה אָמֵינָא לְצַוְותָּא בְּעָלְמָא, וַאֲפִילּוּ זָקֵן וַאֲפִילּוּ סָרִיס, קָא מַשְׁמַע לַן ״לְהַחֲיוֹת זֶרַע״.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **Now that** the disqualification of a *tereifa* **is derived from** the term **“with you,” why do I** need the phrase **“to keep seed alive”?** The Gemara answers: **If** one excluded a *tereifa* only **from** the term **“with you,” I would say** that Noah brought the animals into the ark **merely for** the purpose of **companionship, and** therefore **even an aged** animal who could not bear offspring **and even one who was castrated** could be brought into the ark. The phrase **“to keep seed alive”** therefore **teaches us** that only animals that could reproduce were brought into the ark.


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:22
[Avodah Zarah 51a:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:22)

אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר: מִנַּיִן לַשּׁוֹחֵט בְּהֵמָה לְמַרְקוּלִיס שֶׁהוּא חַיָּיב? שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְלֹא יִזְבְּחוּ עוֹד אֶת זִבְחֵיהֶם לַשְּׂעִירִם״, אִם אֵינוֹ עִנְיָן לִכְדַרְכָּהּ, דִּכְתִיב: ״אֵיכָה יַעַבְדוּ הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵלֶּה אֶת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם״, תְּנֵהוּ עִנְיָן לְשֶׁלֹּא כְּדַרְכָּהּ.

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
§ **Rabbi Elazar says: From where** is it derived **concerning one who slaughters an animal** as an offering **to Mercury that he is liable** even though it is not typically worshipped in this manner? This is derived from a verse, **as it is stated: “And they shall not slaughter their offerings anymore to the *se’irim*** after whom they go astray; this shall be to them an eternal statute, throughout their generations” (Leviticus 17:7). **If** this verse **is not** needed for the **matter of** prohibiting the worship of an idol in **its** typical **manner,** it must apply to another matter. The verse cannot be referring to idols that are typically worshipped by slaughtering offerings, **as** this prohibition **is written** in the verse: “And lest you inquire after their gods, saying: **How do these nations serve their gods?** Even so will I do likewise” (Deuteronomy 12:30). One must therefore **apply** the verse to the **matter of** prohibiting the worship of an idol in **an atypical manner.**


###### Avodah Zarah 51a:23
[Avodah Zarah 51a:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Avodah%20Zarah/r/51a:23)

וְהָא לְהָכִי הוּא דַּאֲתָא? הַאי מִיבְּעֵי לֵיהּ לְכִדְתַנְיָא:

**William Davidson Edition - English:**
The Gemara asks: **But** with regard to **this** verse, **does it come to** teach **this** prohibition? **This** verse **is required for that which is taught** in a *baraita*, with regard to the prohibition against sacrificing offerings outside the Tabernacle: