11. “What is a grove?” “That in which there is an idol.” R. Simon said, “everything that is worshipped, as it happened in Zidon at the tree where they worshipped, and they found beneath it a heap. Said R. Simon to them, ‘examine this heap.’ And they examined it and found in it an image. He said to them, ‘as the object of service is the image, we shall allow the tree to you.’ ”
12. One must not sit in the shadow of an idolatrous grove, and though he sit, he is legally clean. And one must not pass underneath it; even if one pass he is defiled. “If it occupy the public thoroughfare and one pass beneath it?” “He is clean.”
13. One may sow underneath it vegetables in winter, but not in summer. But lettuce[457] must not be sown either in summer or winter. R. José said, “not even vegetables in winter, since the leaves would fall upon them and serve them for dung.”
14. “Has one taken wood from it?” “Its wood is forbidden for every use.” “Has one heated an oven with it?” “If the oven be new it must be broken down, and if old it must be cooled down.” “Has one baked bread in it?” “The use of the bread is forbidden.” “Are the loaves mixed with other loaves, and these again with others?” “The use of all the loaves is forbidden.” R. Eliezer said, “its value is to be [pg 193] cast into the Salt Sea.” The Sages replied to him, “there is no redemption for idolatry.” “Has one made out of such a tree a weaver's shuttle?” “Its use is forbidden.” “Has one woven a garment with it?” “The use of the garment is forbidden.” “Is the garment mixed with other garments, and these again with others?” “The use of all the garments is forbidden.” Rabbi Eleazar said, “its value is to be cast into the Salt Sea.” The Sages replied to him, “there is no redemption for idolatry.”
15. “How is the tree to be desecrated?” “Has the idolater broken off dry bark, or green boughs; has he taken from it a staff, or a twig, or even a leaf—it is desecrated.” “Has he trimmed it for the sake of the tree?” “It is forbidden.” “Has he trimmed it, but not for the sake of the tree?” “It is allowed.”
Chapter IV
1. Rabbi Ishmael said, “three stones[458] beside each other at the side of the image of Mercury are forbidden, but two are allowed.” But the Sages say, “when they are within his view they are forbidden, but when they are not within his view they are allowed.”
2. “Has one found money on his head, a garment, or implements which are not offerings?” “They are allowed.” Festoons of grapes, wreaths of ears of corn, and wines, and oils, and fine flour, and everything similar offered on his altar are forbidden.
3. A garden or a bath for idolatry is permitted for use when it is gratuitous. But neither is to be used if a present for the worship of the idol be expected. If it be in partnership with others that are not so employed, either can be used, whether it be with the expectation of a present or gratuitous. The idol of idolaters is at once forbidden, but the idol of Israel is not forbidden until it be served.