Study Avodah Zarah folio 50A with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Furthermore, everyone agrees that also in the case of stones that are near the stone pile dedicated to Mercury, with regard to which it can be said that they fell from it, they are prohibited. R' Yishmael and the Rabbis disagree only when the stones are distant.
The Talmud challenges: But the Mishnah teaches that the stones are at the side of Mercury, indicating that they are nearby. The Talmud explains: What is meant by the term: At the side of Mercury? It means at the side of its 4 cubits.
The Talmud clarifies the dispute: R' Yishmael holds that at times, idol worshippers initially construct a small stone pile dedicated to Mercury at the side of a large stone pile dedicated to Mercury. Therefore, 3 stones, which resemble a complete pile dedicated to Mercury, are prohibited. Two stone
§ The Master said: In a case where it is known that these stones fell from it, everyone agrees that they are prohibited. And the Talmud raises a contradiction to R' Yoḥanan’s statement from his statement presented in a baraita: With regard to stones that fell from a pile dedicated to Mercury, those
The Talmud asks: And does R' Yishmael actually hold that two stones that are found adjacent to the pile are permitted? But isn’t it taught in a baraita: R' Yishmael says: Two stones that are found in the area of the pile dedicated to Mercury are prohibited. 3 stones are prohibited, even if they are