Avodah Zarah 3:6-7

Avodah Zara 3:6

If a person had a house sharing a wall with a house of idolatry and it fell down, he is not permitted to rebuild it. Rather he must withdraw four cubits (about six feet) onto his own property and rebuild it there. If the wall belonged jointly to him and to the house of idolatry, half of its thickness is considered his and half theirs. The stones, wood and dust of the fallen wall convey ritual impurity in the same manner as a “creeping thing” (i.e., through contact) as is derived from Deuteronomy 7:26, “You shall utterly detest it” (the word detest – sheketz – being related to sheretz – a creeping thing). Rabbi Akiva says that the debris from the wall conveys ritual impurity in the same manner as a menstruant woman (i.e., through contact or by carrying) based on Isaiah 30:22, “Put them far away from you as if menstruous….” Therefore, just as a menstruant woman conveys ritual impurity by being carried, an idol does as well.

Avodah Zara 3:7

There are three types of house vis-à-vis idolatry: (1) One that was built for idolatry is completely prohibited. (2) If it was painted, plastered or renovated for idolatry, one may remove what was added for idolatry. (3) If an idol was brought into the house and subsequently removed, it is permitted. There are three types of stone vis-à-vis idolatry: (1) If a stone was quarried for idolatrous purposes, it is completely prohibited (even if it didn’t end up being used for that purpose). (2) If it was painted, plastered or renovated for idolatry, one may remove what was added for idolatry. (3) If an idol was placed on the stone and subsequently removed, it is permitted. There are three types of asheira tree: (1) A tree that was planted for idolatry is completely prohibited. (2) If a tree was trimmed and pruned for idolatrous purposes and it grew new branches, one may remove those new branches. (3) If an idol was set up under the tree and subsequently nullified, it is permitted. An asheira is any tree that has an idol under it. Rabbi Shimon says that it’s any tree that is worshipped. There was a case in Tzidon of a tree that was worshipped and they discovered a mound under it. Rabbi Shimon told them to examine the mound. When they did it, they found an idol in it. Rabbi Shimon ruled that since they were worshipping the idol, the tree is permitted.