Today's Mishnah Yomi
Avodah Zarah 4:4 - 4:5
The Mishnah Yomi for Saturday, May 3, 2025 is Avodah Zarah 4:4 - 4:5
Mishnah 1
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Mishnayos Avodah Zarah Perek 4 Mishnah 4
עבודה זרה פרק ד׳ משנה ד׳
A gentile’s object of idol worship is prohibited immediately, i.e., as soon as it is fashioned for that purpose, but a Jew’s object of idol worship is not prohibited until it is actually worshipped. A gentile can revoke the status of his object of idol worship and the status of the idol of another gentile, but a Jew cannot revoke the status of the object of idol worship of a gentile. One who revokes the status of an object of idol worship thereby revokes the status of its accessories. But if he revokes the status of its accessories, its accessories alone are rendered permitted, but the object of idol worship itself remains prohibited.
עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁל נָכְרִי, אֲסוּרָה מִיָּד. וְשֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵין אֲסוּרָה עַד שֶׁתֵּעָבֵד. נָכְרִי מְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלּוֹ וְשֶׁל חֲבֵרוֹ, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֵינוֹ מְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁל נָכְרִי. הַמְבַטֵּל עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, בִּטֵּל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ. בִּטֵּל מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ, מְשַׁמְּשֶׁיהָ מֻתָּרִין וְהִיא אֲסוּרָה:
Bartenura
ע״ז של נכרי אסורה מיד. דכתיב (דברים ז׳:כ״ה) פסילי אלהיהם, משפסלו נעשה לו לאלוה:
ושל ישראל עד שתיעבד. דכתיב (שם כ״ו) ושם בסתר, עד שיעשה לה דברים של סתר, כלומר שיעבדנה, שהישראל אינו עובד ע״ז אלא בסתר מפני שמתירא מבית דין:
נכרי מבטל ע״ז שלו. דכתיב פסילי אלהיהם תשרפון באש, כשהן נוהגין בהן מנהג אלהות, אבל אם בטלוה הרי אלו מותרים:
ושל ישראל. בזמן שיש לו בה שותפות. ואין כן הלכה, דנכרי אין מבטל ע״ז של ישראל אפילו יש לו בה שותפות:
וישראל אינו מבטל עבודה זרה של נכרי. ואפילו נתן לו הנכרי רשות:
Mishnah 2
Mishnayos Avodah Zarah Perek 4 Mishnah 5
עבודה זרה פרק ד׳ משנה ה׳
How does a gentile revoke the status of an object of idol worship? If he cut off the tip of its ear, or the tip of its nose, or its fingertip; or if he crushed it, even though he did not remove any part of it, in all these cases he thereby revoked its status as an object of idol worship. If he spat before the idol, urinated before it, dragged it on the ground, or threw excrement at it, the status of this idol is not revoked, as this is only a temporary display of scorn, and afterward the gentile might continue to worship the idol. If the gentile sold it or mortgaged it, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi says: He thereby revoked its status. And the Rabbis say that he did not revoke its status.
כֵּיצַד מְבַטְּלָהּ, קָטַע רֹאשׁ אָזְנָהּ, רֹאשׁ חָטְמָהּ, רֹאשׁ אֶצְבָּעָהּ, פְּחָסָהּ אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹּא חִסְּרָהּ, בִּטְּלָהּ. רָקַק בְּפָנֶיהָ, הִשְׁתִּין בְּפָנֶיהָ, גְּרָרָהּ, וְזָרַק בָּהּ אֶת הַצּוֹאָה, הֲרֵי זוֹ אֵינָהּ בְּטֵלָה. מְכָרָהּ אוֹ מִשְׁכְּנָהּ, רַבִּי אוֹמֵר, בִּטֵּל. וַחֲכָמִים אוֹמְרִים, לֹא בִטֵּל:
Bartenura
פחסה – [if he smashed it] in its face. If he crushed it with a mallet until he removed the shape of the face.
גררה – dragged and cast within the mud.
אינה בטלה – for according to the hour, he got hot regarding it and he retracted and worshipped it.
רבי אומר בטלה – there is a dispute between Rabbi [Judah the Prince] and the Sages when he sold it to an idolater, but if he sold it to an Israelite goldsmith/smelter, according to all, it is annulled and the Halakha is according to the Sages.
פחסה. בפניה. מיעכה בקורנס עד שהמיר צורת פניה:
גררה. סחוב והשלך בתוך הטיט:
אינה בטילה. דלפום שעה רתח עלה, והדר פלח לה:
רבי אומר בטלה. פלוגתא דרבי ורבנן כשמכרה לנכרי, אבל מכרה לישראל צורף דברי הכל בטלה. והלכה כחכמים:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
אינו מבטל ע"ז של נכרי – and even if the heathen gave him permission [to do so].