I'm rather confused on what's said in the later part of 50 and into 51. It seems to pretty much dictate an argument without really coming to a conclusion. What is the halaka regarding, breaking a stick, throwing feces or urine, and breaking a locust to an idol if in fact this was not the proper way that they were generally served. I'm aware that if an act was exactly like that of the worship within the temple or that of which the idol was normally worshiped then one was considered liable. This being the case how does throwing disgusting material, breaking sticks, or killing locusts fit into avodah Sarah if he ido, was not normally worshipped in this manner. Must the act simply be similar to both temple worship as well as to the normal way the idol is served combined? If one were to say that throwing dung for example is similar to worship within the temple without being similar to the way the idol was normally worshipped seems a bit far fetched. How can one say throwing dung, and breaking sticks are even close to compatible to a temple sacrifice in and of themselves. Sticks, grasshoppers, and urine for example would hardly be fit for such a thing.
Joseph, United states
1) It is important to see the Gemara in Sanhedrin 60b, which Rashi cites here (DH Shavar), which says that one is liable for any of the primary services done for Avodah Zarah (sacrificing, burning incense, pouring wine, bowing down) even if one does them in an unusual way.
2) The Gemara here states that breaking a stick is similar to slaughtering an animal. Rashi writes that breaking a stick, even though this is an unusual way of serving Avodah Zarah, is nevertheless similar to slaughtering, because when one slaughters an animal, one breaks its neck. We learn that it is sufficient to be similar to the inner services, even if done in an unusual way. In addition, killing a locust is unusual, but it is similar to slaughtering, so he is liable. Also, throwing disgusting material is similar to sprinkling blood on the altar, so it is liable even though it is not the normal way.
3) When one throws wet dung, it breaks on landing. This is similar to sprinkling blood inasmuch as blood drips when it lands. Throwing dung is certainly not a normal thing to do, but the physical action posseses this similarity to sprinkling blood. Breaking a stick and breaking a neck possess a physical similarity, even though breaking a stick is far from normal, and the same applies to slaughtering a locust.
Wishing you a healthy summer,
Dovid Bloom