(Mishnah): How can an idolater annul an idol? If he cut off the top of its ear, the top of its nose, the top of its finger; if he defaces (its face) even if he did not diminish it, it is annulled.

If he spat in its face, urinated in front of it, dragged it along or threw excrement at it, it is not annulled (as although he might have acted this way out of anger, he will later continue to serve it).

If he sold it or gave it as collateral - Rebbi says that it was annulled; the Chachamim say that it was not annulled.

(Gemara) (R. Zeira): When Rebbi says that selling it annuls it, that is when he sold it calmly, but if he sold it in anger, all agree that it is not annulled, as the pasuk states (Yeshayah 8:21), "and it shall come to pass, when he is hungry, that he shall curse his king (and his god and face upwards)".

Ze'urah bar Chinanah said in the name of R. Chanayah that they disagree when he sold it to a smelter to melt down for his own use - since the seller knows this, he is clearly intending to annul it.

(R. Yirmiyah citing Rav): (Disagrees) They disagree when he sold it to its worshippers, but if he sold it to a smelter, all agree that it is annulled.

(R. Yaakov bar Acha citing R. Yochanan): All agree.

(R. Hila citing R. Shimon ben Lakish): It is a dispute. (The Gemara will now explain this discussion...)

R. Yochanan is discussing when he sold it to its worshippers and in that case, all agree that it is not annulled. However, if he sold it to a smelter, he agrees with R. Chaninah that there is a dispute over that case. And as for Reish Lakish who said that it is a dispute, he follows the opinion of R. Yirmiyah that the dispute is when he sold it to its worshippers, but if he sold it to a smelter, all agree that it is annulled.

Question: What is the final ruling in this case?

Answer: (It follows R. Yochanan and R. Chaninah that) Rebbi and the Chachamim disagree when he sold it to a smelter, but if he sold it to its worshippers, all agree that it is not annulled.