Today's Mishnah Yomi
Avodah Zarah 3:2 - 3:3
The Mishnah Yomi for Sunday, April 27, 2025 is Avodah Zarah 3:2 - 3:3
Mishnah 1
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Mishnayos Avodah Zarah Perek 3 Mishnah 2
עבודה זרה פרק ג׳ משנה ב׳
In the case of one who finds unidentifiable fragments of statues, these are permitted, i.e., one may derive benefit from them. If one found an object in the figure of a hand or in the figure of a foot, these are forbidden, as objects similar to those are worshipped.
הַמּוֹצֵא שִׁבְרֵי צְלָמִים, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ מֻתָּרִים. מָצָא תַבְנִית יָד אוֹ תַבְנִית רֶגֶל, הֲרֵי אֵלּוּ אֲסוּרִים, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכַּיּוֹצֵא בָהֶן נֶעֱבָד:
Bartenura
הרי אלו מותרין. דכי הוו שלמים ספק עבדום ספק לא עבדום, ואפילו אם תימצי לומר עבדום, שמא בטלום ולכך שברום, והוי ספק ספיקא ולקולא:
שכיוצא בהם נעבד. תבנית יד לבדה הן עושים מעיקרא ועובדין אותה:
Mishnah 2
Mishnayos Avodah Zarah Perek 3 Mishnah 3
עבודה זרה פרק ג׳ משנה ג׳
In the case of one who finds vessels, and upon them is a figure of the sun, a figure of the moon, or a figure of a dragon, he must take them and cast them into the Dead Sea and not derive any benefit from them, as they are assumed to be objects of idol worship. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says: Those figures that are upon respectable vessels are forbidden. Those that are upon disgraceful vessels are permitted. Rabbi Yosei says: When one encounters an idol, he should grind the idol and throw the dust to the wind or cast it into the sea. The Rabbis said to him: What is the good of that? That also gives a Jew benefit from the idol, as it becomes fertilizer for his crops, and deriving any kind of benefit is prohibited, as it is stated: “And nothing of the proscribed items shall cleave to your hand” (Deuteronomy 13:18).
הַמּוֹצֵא כֵלִים וַעֲלֵיהֶם צוּרַת חַמָּה, צוּרַת לְבָנָה, צוּרַת דְּרָקוֹן, יוֹלִיכֵם לְיָם הַמֶּלַח. רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר, שֶׁעַל הַמְכֻבָּדִין, אֲסוּרִים. שֶׁעַל הַמְבֻזִּין, מֻתָּרִין. רַבִּי יוֹסֵי אוֹמֵר, שׁוֹחֵק וְזוֹרֶה לָרוּחַ אוֹ מַטִּיל לַיָּם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ, אַף הוּא נַעֲשֶׂה זֶבֶל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יג) וְלֹא יִדְבַּק בְּיָדְךָ מְאוּמָה מִן הַחֵרֶם:
Bartenura
צורת חמה צורת לבנה – Rambam/Maimonides, of blessed memory, explained, that you should not find it would and he would say, “this is the sun,” or in the form of a round bow, and he would say, “this is the moon,” but rather that he should find a representation that they would relate these astrological specula to the sun or the moon, like they said, that the representation of the sun is like a wreathed king sitting on a wagon, and similarly all this that are like this.
צורת דרקון – the representation of a snake which has something glistening and scales like the scales of a fish, and they say that it is the representation of the hills of the moon, and it was worshipped in those days, and even according to the Rabbis who stated above (i.e., Mishnah 1), that all of the rest of the images are permissible, they would agree that these are forbidden for it is their custom to worship them.
שעל המכובדים – nice utensils that their use is for adornment and honor, such as chains, nose-rings and rings and similar kinds of things.
מבוזים – boilers and kettles and those things that warm up warm things, and other similar things. And the Halakha is according to Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel.
וזורה לרוח – so that an Israelite will not benefit from it.
אף הוא – if he cast it to the wind also now there would be benefit to an Israelite from it, for it would become manure.
צורת חמה צורת לבנה. פירש הרמב״ם ז״ל, לא שימצא עיגול ויאמר זהו השמש, או כמין קשת עגול ויאמר זו לבנה, אלא שימצא הצורה שמיחסים אלו הוברי שמים לשמש וירח, כמו שאמרו שצורת השמש צורת מלך מעוטר יושב על עגלה, וכן כל ביוצא בזה:
צורת דרקון. צורת נחש שיש לו ציצין וקשקשין כקשקשי הדג, ואומרים שהיא צורה לתלי הלבנה, והיתה נעבדת באותן הימים. ואפילו לרבנן דאמרי לעיל שאר כל הצלמים מותרין, מודו דהנך אסירי, דאורחייהו למפלחינהו:
שעל המכובדים. כלים נאים שתשמישן לנוי ולכבוד, כגון שירים ונזמים וטבעות וכיוצא בהם:
מבוזים. כגון יורות וקומקומסים ומחמי חמין ודומיהן. והלכה כרשב״ג:
וזורה לרוח. שלא יהנה ישראל ממנה:
אף הוא. אם יזרנו לרוח גם עתה יש הנאה לישראל ממנו, שהיא נעשית זבל:
Mishnah Yomi FAQ
What is Mishnah Yomi?
Mishnah Yomi is a daily study program where participants study two mishnayot (individual teachings from the Mishnah) every day. By following this program, one can complete the entire Mishnah in about six years.
What is the Mishnah?
The Mishnah is the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions, forming the basis of the Talmud. It dates back to around 200 CE and consists of teachings and discussions of Jewish law by various rabbis.
Who started the Mishnah Yomi program?
In 1934, the Kozoglover Gaon, Rav Aryeh Tzvi Frommer, who took over from Rav Meir Shapiro (the founder of Daf Yomi) as the head of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin, initiated the Mishnah Yomi cycle, focusing on Seder Zeraim and Seder Taharos. After World War II, in 1947, Rav Yonah Sztencl, a disciple of Rav Frommer, expanded the program, advocating for a comprehensive study of Shishah Sidrei Mishnah. The idea of studying two Mishnayos daily gained the support of figures like Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer, the Tchebiner Rov, and the Gerer Rebbe, marking the formal inception of Mishnah Yomi.
How long does it take to complete the Mishnah with Mishnah Yomi?
Following the Mishnah Yomi program, one can complete the Mishnah in approximately six years.
Can anyone join Mishnah Yomi?
Yes, anyone interested in studying the Mishnah can start the Mishnah Yomi cycle. There’s no need for prior knowledge; beginners are welcome.
Do I need to know Hebrew to study Mishnah Yomi?
While the Mishnah is originally in Hebrew, there are numerous translations and commentaries available in various languages, making it accessible to anyone interested in studying.
Is there a specific time of day to study Mishnah Yomi?
There’s no designated time. Participants can choose a time that best fits their schedule.
Can I study Mishnah Yomi with a group?
Yes, many communities and synagogues organize group study sessions for Mishnah Yomi. Studying in a group can enhance understanding and foster camaraderie.
What if I miss a day?
If you miss a day, you can catch up by studying the missed mishnayot alongside the current day’s study or by dedicating some extra time until you’re back on track.
הרי אלו מותרין – for had they been whole, there is a doubt whether they would have worshipped them or not worshipped them. And even if one is able to say that hey worshipped them lest they become nullified, and therefore, broke them, for this is a double doubt and for a leniency.
שכיוצא בהם נעבד – the form of a hand alone they would make ab initio and they worship it.