4,068. Not Benefiting From Objects of Idolatry
Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 4:6
If an animal was worshiped as an idol, it becomes prohibited for the altar regardless of whether a person worshiped his own animal or someone else’s, whether he was coerced or did so voluntarily, intentionally or unintentionally, before the animal was consecrated or after. Such an animal is left to graze until it develops a permanent blemish, at which point it is redeemed, as was previously discussed. If an animal is worshiped, it and everything on it is rendered unfit for the altar because all the ornaments of something worshiped for idolatry are prohibited for benefit. If an animal was simply designated for idolatry, then it becomes prohibited but the things on it remain fit for the altar.
Hilchos Issurei Mizbeiach 4:7
If someone bows down to a mountain, he may benefit from it but its stones may not be used for the altar. Similarly, if someone bows down to a stream that flows through his land, its water may not be used as a libation. Even if an asheira tree was nullified from its idolatrous status, one may not bring logs from it for the altar’s woodpile. Similarly, if someone bows down to an animal, just as it is rendered unfit for the altar, its wool is rendered unfit to be used in the kohanic vestments, its horns are rendered unfit to use as trumpets, its thighbones are rendered unfit to make into flutes, and its intestines are rendered unfit to make into strings for the instruments. The animal is rendered unusable in its entirety.
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