Avoda Zara 14: Animals and Plants Forbidden Because of Idol Worship?

A brief examination of today's daf:

• The rabbis continue to identify items that are used toward the practice of idol-worship
• Which plants are exempt from the laws of shemita? The rabbis investigate the meanings of words they do not know
• Our previous Mishna specified items that were used for idol worship including white chickens, and white wheat
• How do we know if one is buying a chicken for purposed of idol-worship? The rabbis share the wording that one might use if he were looking for a item for idol-worship
• if a person asks for a damaged chicken, etc., we do not suspect idolatry and thus it is permitted
• it may be impossible to determine whether or not a person is scheming
• The rabbis wonder whether or not it is permitted to sell bad date trees
• again the rabbis do not know the meanings of certain words and thus they have difficulty knowing what is forbidden and what is permitted to be sold to one who worships idols

• A new Mishna teaches:
• in places that sell small, non-working animals, we may sell them to Gentiles; in places that do not sell small animals, we cannot sell them
• In all places we may not sell large animals or their babies regardless of health
• Rabbi Yehudah permits selling a lame animal; Ben Beseira permits selling a horse

• The Gemara debates whether or not this proves that selling small animals is not intrinsically forbidden
• The rabbis wonder whether Gentiles commit beastiality when left alone with animals
• They decide that in places where Gentiles are suspected of this behaviour, one may not leave animals with them

Interesting that alien cultures are suspected of beastiality; Jews have often been suspected of heinous acts as well.