Study Avodah Zarah folio 22B with parallel Hebrew-English text, traditional commentary, and modern study tools. Free access to Babylonian Talmud online.
Talmud: With regard to the assumption that non-Jews are suspected of bestiality, the Talmud raises a contradiction from a baraita (Tosefta 2:1): One may purchase an animal from non-Jews for use as an offering, and there is no concern that it might be unfit due to it being an animal that copulated w
The Talmud analyzes this ruling: Granted, there is no concern that the animal was set aside for idolatry or was itself worshipped. The reason is that if it is so that it was set aside, or if it is so that it was worshipped, then the non-Jew would not have sold it to the Jew in the first place. Bu
The Talmud asks: This works out well with regard to female animals, as they can become barren, but with regard to males, what is there to say? Rav Kahana says: non-Jews also refrain from engaging in bestiality with their male livestock, since doing so deteriorates the animals’ flesh, i.e., it make
Rather, the Talmud instead raises a contradiction from that which is taught in a baraita: One may purchase an animal for use as an offering from their shepherd, i.e., a non-Jew shepherd. The Talmud explains the apparent contradiction: In light of the ruling of the Mishnah, let us be concerned that
Rather, the Talmud instead raises a contradiction from that which is taught in a baraita: One may not deliver an animal to their shepherd, i.e., a non-Jew shepherd. The Talmud explains the contradiction: Why may one not do so? Let us say that their shepherd is fearful due to the forfeit of his wag