Avodah Zarah 20 - July 8, 12 Tamuz

Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda disagree about whether one may sell an item that is still attached to the ground—such as a tree—to a non-Jew, on the condition that the non-Jew will cut it down himself, or whether the item must first be detached in order for the sale to be permitted. The basis for this prohibition is the Torah’s ban on selling land in Israel to gentiles, which extends to anything attached to the land. The source for this prohibition is found in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 7:2, in the phrase “לֹא תְחָנֵם” (“lo techanem”).

From this verse, two additional prohibitions are derived: (1) praising or complimenting non-Jews, and (2) giving them gifts without compensation. Whether giving gifts is actually forbidden is the subject of a tannaitic dispute. The prohibition against praising non-Jews is also examined—does it truly apply? Seemingly contradictory sources are introduced, but ultimately reconciled with the prohibition.

An additional question is raised: Does the dispute between Rabbi Meir and Rabbi Yehuda extend to the prohibition against selling animals to non-Jews when the sale is for the purpose of slaughtering the animal?