Pisqa’ 61²⁸

1. “You shall tear down their altars” (Dt. 12:3)— this refers to a stone mined originally to serve a foreign cult.

footnotes: ²⁸ H:116-117;JN1:189-190.

“And smash their pillars” (Dt. 12:3)— this refers to those first mined innocently, and later worshipped.

“And their Ashera-trees you shall burn with fire” (Dt. 12:3)— this refers to an Ashera-tree which is planted originally to serve a foreign cult.

“And the images of their gods you shall tear down” (Dt. 12:3)— this refers to those first planted and later worshipped.

2. Another word: “You shall tear down their altars” (Dt. 12:3).²⁹ On this basis they taught: There are three kinds of Ashera-trees,

a tree which they planted originally to serve a foreign cult— indeed, it is proscribed,

“Their Ashera-trees you shall burn with fire” (Dt. 12:3). If it sprouted shoots— he should remove the shoots.

“The images of their gods you shall cut down” (Dt. 12:3). If it did not sprout shoots, but they set up an idol beneath it, and later removed it— indeed, this is permitted **[once the idol is gone].**³⁰ for it is stated: “And you shall destroy their name from that place . . . You must not treat HASHEM your God in such a way” (Dt. 12:3-4).

footnotes: ²⁹ The smaller font represents material regarded by F:126, n.8, as a textual interpolation. ³⁰ //M. AZ.3:7.

3.There are three kinds of house

a house which they built originally to serve a foreign cult— indeed, it is proscribed,

“You must utterly destroy all the places” (Dt. 12:2). If it was renovated— he should remove what was renovated,

“And you shall destroy their name from that place” (Dt. 12:3). If it was not renovated, but they brought an image into it and later removed it— indeed, this is permitted **[once the image is gone].³¹ for it is stated: “You shall tear down their altars and smash their pillars” (Dt. 12:3)— that is, having torn down the altar, just leave the ruins, having smashed their pillar, just leave the ruins.**4. Is it possible to say that you are required to pursue [servants of a foreign cult] beyond the Land? The Teaching states: “You shall destroy their name from that place” (Dt. 12:3)— that is, you are commanded to pursue them from the Land of Israel, but you are not commanded to pursue them beyond the Land.

footnotes: ³¹ //M. AZ.3:7.

5. R. Eliezer says: on what basis do I know that one who cuts down an Ashera-tree must uproot it as well? The Teaching states: “And you shall destroy their name” (Dt. 12:3). Said to him R. Akiva: Why do I need this verse? Isn’t it already stated: “You shall utterly destroy” (Dt. 12:2)?

“And you shall destroy their name” (Dt. 12:3)? [do we] change the names of their cultic shrines? Or, is it possible to say that [we should select] more appropriate names?

“Utterly despise it, be utterly revolted by it” (Dt. 7:26)— **[by selecting a more appropriate name].**³²

footnotes: ³² Cf. T.AZ.6[7]:4. The Tosefta offers a number of examples of changing the name of a shrine, e.g., from “The Face of God” to “Dog-Face!”

6. On what basis do I know that one who carves a single stone from the Sanctuary, from the Altar, or from the Courtyards transgresses a proscription?

“You shall tear down their altars, and smash their pillars . . . **you must not treat HASHEM your God in such a way” (Dt. 12:3-4).**³³

on what basis do I know that one who erases a single letter from the Holy Name transgresses a proscription?

**“You shall destroy their name . . . you must not treat HASHEM your God in such a way” (Dt. 12:3-4).**³⁴ Rabban Gamliel says: now, could you imagine that Israel would tear down their own altars? Heaven forbid! Rather, this is the point— do not do as they do, lest your wicked deeds cause the Holy Shrine of your ancestors to be destroyed!

footnotes: ³³ //T. Mak.5:8. ³⁴ //T. Mak.5:9.