166. Things Prohibited Before the Holidays of Idolators

Avodas Kochavim 8:12

Even if an altar for idolatry is damaged, it is prohibited to derive benefit from it until most of it has been destroyed by non-Jewish idolators. A damaged platform is permitted. The difference between these two things is that a platform is made from a single stone while an altar is made of many stones.

The stones thrown at statues of Mercury are nullified when the idolator builds a building from them, paves the road with them, etc. When this has happened, one is permitted to derive benefit from them.

An asheira tree is nullified when an idolator pulls off a leaf or cuts off a branch, or makes a staff from it, or planes the tree not for its needs. If he planes the tree for its needs, the tree remains prohibited but the shavings are permitted. If the asheira belongs to a Jew, both the tree and the shavings will be prohibited forever. It makes no difference whether the asheira was planed for its needs or not since the idol of a Jew cannot be nullified.

Avodas Kochavim 9:1

It is prohibited to buy or sell any item of lasting permanence to an idolator within three days of their festivals. One may likewise not borrow or lend money with them, or accept payment for or repay a loan that has a promissory note or a security. One may collect payment for a loan that is only supported by a verbal commitment because by doing so he avoids the possibility of never being repaid at all. One may sell them things that don’t last, like produce and cooked foods, until the day of their festival. This rule only applies in Israel. In other countries, such business dealings are only prohibited on the day of their festival.

If one violated the law and conducted such business during these three days, he may derive benefit from the proceeds. If one conducts such business on the day of their festival itself, it is prohibited to derive benefit from the proceeds.