The idolatry of a gentile is forbidden immediately, [it being written (Deuteronomy 7:25): "the carved images of their gods shall you burn with fire" — As soon as they are carved they are rendered "gods" for him. ] And that of a Jew is not forbidden until it is worshiped, [it being written in that respect (Ibid. 27:15): "Cursed be the man who shall make a carved or molten image … and do in secret" — [It is not forbidden] until he does "secret" things with it, i.e., until he worships it. For a Jew worships idolatry only in secret, fearing beth-din.] A gentile may nullify his own idolatry, [it being written (Ibid. 7:25): "The carved images of their gods shall you burn with fire" — when they relate to them as gods; but if he has nullified it, it is permitted] and (he may also nullify) that of a Jew, [when they are partners. (But this is not the halachah.) A gentile cannot nullify the idolatry of a Jew even if he has partnership in it.] And a Jew cannot nullify the idolatry of a gentile, [even if he permits him to do so]. If one nullifies an idol, he nullifies its appurtenances. (If he nullifies) its appurtenances, they are permitted and it itself is forbidden.
Bartenura on Mishnah Avodah Zarah
ע"ז של נכרי אסורה מיד – as it is written (Deuteronomy 7:25): “[You shall consign] the images of their gods [to the fire], for once it has been declared unfit, it becomes for him a god.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Avodah Zarah
Introduction
The first part of mishnah four discusses when an idol becomes prohibited from being used by a Jew. The second half of the mishnah discusses when an idol that was once worshipped becomes “annulled” as an idol and thereby permitted to be used by a Jew. Note that we already discussed the process of “annulling” an idol in the last mishnah of chapter three.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Avodah Zarah
ושל ישראל עד שתעבד – as it is written (Deuteronomy 27:15): “[Cursed be anyone who makes a sculptured or molten image, abhorred by the LORD, a craftsman’s handiwork,] and sets it up in secret,” until he does for it secretive things, meaning to say, that he worships it, for an Israelite does not serve idolatry other than in secret, because he is afraid of the Jewish court.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Avodah Zarah
The idol of an idolater is prohibited immediately; but if it belonged to a Jew it is not prohibited until it is worshipped. As soon as an idol is made by a non-Jew it is prohibited, even before it is worshipped. The reason is that we can safely assume that the non-Jew will worship the idol, and it was certainly made for idolatrous purposes. However, an idol made by a Jew is only forbidden for Jewish use once it has been worshipped. The reason is that we cannot be sure that the Jew will worship the idol. It potentially could be used for decorative, non-idolatrous purposes.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Avodah Zarah
נכרי מבטל ע"ז שלו – as it is written (Deuteronomy 7:25): “You shall consign the images of their gods to the fire,” when they practice regarding them the custom of godliness, but if he annulled it, they are permitted.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Avodah Zarah
An idolater can annul an idol belonging to himself or to another idolater, but a Jew cannot annul the idol of an idolater. One who is engaged in idolatry can annul an idol that belongs to him and one that belongs to others. We will learn in the proceeding mishnayoth how one annuls idols. However, a Jew cannot annul the idol of an idolater.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Avodah Zarah
ושל ישראל – when he has regarding it a partnership, and the Halakha is not like this. For an idolater cannot annul [the sanctity of] the idolatry of an Israelite even when he has a partnership with him in it.
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English Explanation of Mishnah Avodah Zarah
He who annuls an idol annuls the things that pertain to it. If he only annulled the things that pertain to it these are permitted but the idol itself is prohibited. If one annuls an idol, all of the things that go with the idol, for instances the plates used to make offerings to it, are also annulled. Since these things are ancillary to the main idol, they are effected by its change of status. However, if one annuls the things that pertain to the idol, without specifically annulling the idol, the idol is still forbidden.
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Bartenura on Mishnah Avodah Zarah
אינו מבטל ע"ז של נכרי – and even if the heathen gave him permission [to do so].
