Avodah Zarah, Daf Mem Aleph, Part 2

 

Introduction

The sages in the mishnah held that the image is prohibited only if it holds a staff, bird or orb. The Talmud explains that these are symbols of power.

 

וחכ"א אינן אסורין וכו’: מקל שרודה את עצמו תחת כל העולם כולו כמקל:

צפור שתופש את עצמו תחת כל העולם כולו כצפור:

כדור שתופש את עצמו תחת כל העולם כולו ככדור

 

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.

 

The staff, bird and orb are symbols of power. If the image holds one of them, it is certainly a royal idol of sorts.

 

תנא הוסיפו עליהן סייף עטרה וטבעת סייף

מעיקרא סבור לסטים בעלמא ולבסוף סבור שהורג את עצמו תחת כל העולם כולו

עטרה מעיקרא סבור גדיל כלילי בעלמא ולבסוף סבור כעטרה למלך

טבעת מעיקרא סבור אישתיימא בעלמא ולבסוף סבור שחותם את עצמו תחת כל העולם כולו למיתה:

 

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.

 

A baraita adds three more items which if the image is found holding or wearing, is considered an idol.

The Talmud then goes on to explain two things. First of all, why weren t these items on the original list, that in the Mishnah. What were the rabbis who didn t include them thinking? Second, what do they actually symbolize such that the rabbis prohibited idols featuring these objects?

 

רבן שמעון בן גמליאל כו’: תנא אפילו צרור אפי’ קיסם

בעי רב אשי תפש בידו צואה מהו מי אמרינן כ"ע זילו באפיה כי צואה א"ד הוא מיהו דזיל באפי כ"ע כצואה תיקו:

 

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.

 

Rabban Shimon b. Gamaliel says that the image is considered an idol if it holds anything in its hand, even something small that lacks value.

R. Ashi, a late amora, then pushes the question even further. What if it holds something disgusting such as excrement? Could this imply power that everyone is worthless like filth? Or maybe it symbolizes that others held the image in contempt? Perhaps this was an image of a person vilified by all. R. Ashi s question is not answered.