Daf Yomi One Week at a Time: Avoda Zara

This week we will begin Masechet Avoda Zara by discussing the future judgment of the nations of the world, where they attempt to justify themselves before God by claiming to have supported Torah study. Their claims are refuted, revealing that their motivations were self-serving, and the unique value of Torah and mitzvot—especially Shabbat—is emphasized. We will also explore the prohibition of engaging in commerce with idolaters before their festivals and introduce foundational principles for avoiding any support or association with idolatry.

This week, we will explore the significance of time and dates associated with idolatrous festivals. Due to concerns about strengthening idol worship, business dealings with idolaters before and during their holidays are prohibited. We will also learn of the special relationship Antoninus had with Rebbi. The Gemara also teaches about Unkelous, the famous convert.

This week we will explore restrictions on transacting with idolaters around their festivals—including buying, selling, lending, or renting—to prevent benefiting their idolatrous worship, with differing views on whether prohibition applies only before or also during the festivals. We will also learn about the tragic death of Rabbi Chananya ben Tradyon.

This week we will focus on prohibitions related to benefiting from or facilitating idolatry through animals and commerce. We will learn whether a Jew may allow an idolater to care for his animal, concerned that the animal may be used for idolatrous purposes. The chapter then expands to broader economic interactions—such as renting property, teaching trades, and selling items—that might enable or support idol worship, with the underlying goal of distancing Jews from participation or complicity in avoda zara.

Daf 29–35 of Masechet Avoda Zara explore the permissibility of benefiting from various items associated with idol worship, particularly food and drink. The Gemara discusses detailed laws regarding wine touched or owned by non-Jews, vinegar, cheese, pottery, and leather flasks, explaining which cases are forbidden and which are permitted due to concerns of intermarriage or idolatry.

This week we will delve into the prohibitions surrounding food prepared by non-Jews, such as bishul akum (cooked food), cheese, and wine, with concerns about intermarriage and idol worship influencing the enactments. We will also learn about Kashering utensils that have been used for forbidden foods. We will then begin the third chapter and discuss the difference between idols and statues of idolaters.

This week the Gemara discusses objects associated with idolatry, including the prohibition of deriving benefit from ornaments or accessories of idols. We will also learn how one can nullify an idol. We will then learn how to identify prohibited trees used for idol worship and how to nullify them.

This week we will learn about the worship of specific pagan gods. The Gemara also teaches the laws of objects used tangentially for idolatry. We will then learn how an idolater or a Jew can nullify an idol.

This week, we will continue to focus on yayin nesech (wine libated for idolatry), the extent of contact that makes wine forbidden, and whether a gentile merely touching or moving wine is enough. The Gemara then continues with cases of gentile contact with wine, like dripping, pouring, or shaking, and explores whether sealed containers protect wine from becoming prohibited.

This week we will learn about mixtures and nullification. The Gemara explores cases where forbidden wine mixes with permitted wine, or other forbidden things mix with permissible things. Principles like noten ta’am (whether the forbidden taste is noticeable) and batel b’shishim (nullification in sixty) are discussed, along with whether wine carries stricter rules. There is also consideration of vessels used by non-Jews and whether absorbed wine makes them prohibited.

As we conclude Masechet Avoda Zara we will learn about yayin nesech mixed with permitted wine or with water. The Gemara also discusses how to kasher a winepress that was used by an idolater. And finally, we will learn how to kasher various utensils.

Mazal tov on finishing Masechet Avoda Zara!