The idol of a gentile becomes prohibited immediately, but that of a Jew does not become prohibited until it is worshiped. A gentile can nullify his idol and that of his fellow [gentile], but a Jew cannot nullify a gentile’s idol. [If] one nullifies an idol, he has nullified its accessories. [If] he nullified its accessories, its accessories are permitted but it remains prohibited.

How does he nullify it? [If] he cut off the tip of its ear, the tip of its nose, the tip of its finger, [or] he dented it even though he did not diminish it —- he has nullified it. [If] he spit in front of it, urinated in front of it, dragged it [through mud], or threw excrement at it —- it is not nullified. [If] he sold it or gave it as a pledge, Rabbi says: He has nullified [it]. But the Sages say: He has not nullified [it].

An idol that was abandoned by its worshipers —- [if this occurred] in time of peace, it is permitted [for benefit]; in time of war, it is prohibited. Royal pedestals are permitted, because they erect them [only] when the kings pass.

They asked the elders in Rome: If He does not want idol worship, why does He not make it cease? They (the Sages) said to them: If they [the idolaters] would worship something which the world does not need, He would make it cease. But they worship the sun, the moon, the stars, and the constellations; should He destroy His world because of the fools! They said to them [to the Sages]: If so, let Him destroy the [idolatrous] things which the world does not need, and leave the [idolatrous] things which the world does need. They said to them: [Then] we, too, would lend support to the worshipers of these, be-cause they [would] say: You must perceive the proof that they are gods, for they have not ceased.