Search

Talking Talmud

Avodah Zarah 22: How Common Was Idolaters’ Immorality Really?

07.10.2025 | י״ד בתמוז תשפ״ה

img class=”aligncenter wp-image-12122 size-full” src=”https://hadran.org.il/app/uploads/2020/01/talking-talmud-rectangle-TT.png” height=”360″ />

A story about an idolater who works for a Jew — and works on Shabbat, when the Jew cannot. Was that allowed? It depends on whether that was their original agreement. And the comparable question regarding a tree where the fruit is orlah. Plus, moving on to chapter 2, with a new mishnah – on the measure of negative relationships between Jews and non-Jews, where the Jews are not permitted to stable their animals at the inns of non-Jews/idolaters, because of the concern of bestiality. Note the focus on pagans/idolaters, not non-Jews pere se. Also, a tosefta contradicts the mishnah, in not being concerned about bestiality or even idolatry per se. Plus, the claim that bestiality would make female animals barren, and male animals weak. Plus, a widow cannot have a dog as a pet.

Click here for the Talking Talmud podcast on Avodah Zarah 22/871a>.’”

 

To listen: Click the link above. Or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Or join the Talking Talmud WhatsApp group, and receive the link as soon as it goes up.

You liked Talking Talmud? Follow to get more content:

240420251745481775.jpeg

Anne and Yardaena

Anne Gordon is the deputy editor of Ops & Blogs at The Times of Israel. She is a veteran educator, having taught in high school and post-high school institutions in Israel and America for several decades.Yardaena Osband is a pediatrician and teaches in her community and online. They both hail from Boston, proud alumna of Maimonides School, where they first learned Gemara. Talking Talmud is their conversation (via podcast) on the daf yomi. They say: “Learning the daf? We have something for you to think about. Not learning the daf? We have something for you to think about! (Along with a taste of the daf…) Join the conversation with us!”

Get Beyond the Daf via podcast

Want to follow content and continue where you left off?

Create an account today to track your progress, mark what you’ve learned, and follow the shiurim that speak to you.

Clear all items from this list?

This will remove ALL the items in this section. You will lose any progress or history connected to them. This is irreversible.

Cancel
Yes, clear all

Are you sure you want to delete this item?

You will lose any progress or history connected to this item.

Cancel
Yes, delete