Avodah Zarah, Daf Lamed Bet, Part 6

 

Introduction

Today s section discusses Jews and non-Jews going to or coming back from an idolatrous festival.

 

ההולכין לתרפות אסורין לשאת ולתת עמהם: אמר שמואל עובד כוכבים ההולך לתרפות בהליכה אסור דאזיל ומודי קמי עבודת כוכבים בחזרה מותר מאי דהוה הוה

 

With idolaters going to a place of idolatry, it is forbidden to have any business transactions.

Shmuel said: With idolaters going to a place of idolatry, on their way there, it is forbidden [to have business transactions], for they will go and offer thanks to the idols; but on their return it is permitted, for what has happened has already happened.

 

Shmuel s explanation for the mishnah is in line with what we learned way back in chapter one. It is prohibited to do anything that causes an idolater to go and thank his gods. Thus it is forbidden to engage in business with him on his way to an idolatrous place. But on his way back, it is permitted.

 

ישראל ההולך לתרפות בהליכה מותר דלמא הדר ביה ולא אזיל בחזרה אסור כיון דאביק בה מהדר הדר אזיל

 

If an Israelite goes to a place of idolatry, it is permitted [to deal with him] on his journey there, for he may change his mind and not go; but on his return it is forbidden, for as he has already become attached to it he will go again and again.

 

The opposite is true with an Israelite. On his way there, one can engage in business with him because we can always hope that he will change his mind and turn away from the festival. But once attracted to idolatry, he will not be able to break away from it and therefore it is forbidden to engage in business with him.

 

והתניא ישראל ההולך לתרפות בין בהליכה בין בחזרה אסור

אמר רב אשי כי תניא ההיא בישראל מומר דודאי אזיל

 

But has it not been taught: It is forbidden [to do any business transactions] with an Israelite going towards a place of idolatry either on his journey there or back?

R. Ashi said: When they taught that, it referred to an apostate Israelite, who is sure to go.

 

Another baraita rules even more strictly when it comes to an Israelite. It is forbidden to engage in business with him even on his way to the idolatrous festival. R. Ashi contextualizes this baraita by saying it refers to one known to already be an apostate. Such a person is certainly going to go to the festival and will not change his mind.