Thank-you so much Yaakov Montrose, for your assistance with the Tosfos (DH ba'Asheirah--daf 31b). I really appreciate it, and can't wait to start learning.

However, I have another question on the topic of Mitzvah ha'bah Be'averiah (mitzvah that comes from a sin) which is a daf back:

(1) If a Jew steals money in order to support himself, and, thus, complete all of his Mitzvos with this stolen money are they (Mitzvos) still valid? In specific-- is a lulav still valid if the Jew purchased it through his stolen money?

(a) I have a strong foundation on the 3 different ways on how to view the concept of a Mitzvah ha'bah Be'averiah (gift form, repulsive, tainted). I thougth that maybe because the money does not directly purchase the lulav it is still valid or maybe not (since stealing is still a sin)??

(b) I know the Gemarah in Shabbos that states the first question we will be asked when we come time to be judged is: "Were you honest in your buisness dealings?"-- Does this have any effect/proof in invalidating a Lulav from stolen money?

(c) I am also aware of the fact that the mitzvah of a Lulav is for Hash-m, therefore any reward from the mitzvah is not really for us, thus it is possible that a lulav funded from stolen objects/money may be still valid?? (Rashi on daf 31 discusses this view in regard to Avodah Zara-- is the concept still the same?)

If anyone can please help me find an answer it will be greatly appreciated, thank-you again!

Yale , Miami Beach, FL., U.S.A.