Avoda Zara 2: Why is Yisrael Treated Differently?

We begin this new Masechet with a short but very powerful Mishna.  It states that for the three days before "eidehen", the festivals of idolators, Jews are forbidden to buy or sell from idolaters, to lend to or borrow from them any objects or money, and to pay or collect any loans.  Rabbi Yechuda permits collecting loans from them because this hurts them.  The rabbis disagree, saying that while it pains them now to pay their loans, it benefits them later. 

The Gemara begins with a lengthy discussion about the word "eidelhen" to describe the festivals of idolators.  It is noted that that word is spelled with either an aleph or an ayin in the Mishna.  Each spelling would indicate a different negative prediction.  One would suggest karov yom edam, the day of their downfall. The other would suggest "yitenu edeilhem v'yitzdaku, they will bring witnesses and be justified, referring to testimony against oneself in court.  The rabbis consider other possible meanings as well.

Rabbi Chanina bar Papa teaches that in the future, G-d will hold a Torah and reward all people who engaged in Torah learning.  Gentiles will come together.  G-d will insist that each nation present itself one at a time.  Romi will be judged first as the most important nation.  The rabbis argue about whether or not a king should wait for judgement, how we know that Romi is the most important nation, and other practical questions about this judgement.

In this tale, G-d would ask Romi how it helped Israel to "engage in Torah".  The response was that that all things they did or built was done so that Yisrael could engage in Torah, including the management of bathhouses.  But wouldn't G-d see us as establishing markets and bathhouses simply to benefit ourselves - or provide housing for prostitutes?!

It is said that Romi left, sad about its judgement.  Peras entered next.  Like Nebuchadnezzar's dream, Rav Yosef suggests that Peras was like a bear in how it ate, drank, was obese, hairy, and always moving.  It built bridges, conquered cities and made wars so that Yisrael could engage in Torah.  Again, G-d said that this was for their benefit - to collect taxes, to find people who would serve the king.  Peras also left, dejected.

In their discussion of this story, the rabbis note that Peras thought it was different from Romi.  In fact, all nations believe that they treat Yisrael better than other nations.  Further, every nation wishes for a reward.  They note that Romi and Peras were mentioned because it was believed that these nations would last until moshiach.

The story continues, where the Gentiles are upset with the idea that G-d offered them the Torah and they refused it.  We are given proof texts that suggest the same.  We are taught that these nations were descended of Esau.  Further, G-d did hold a mountain over their nations just like for the nation of Yisrael, and they still chose to refuse it.

Today's daf is focused on the notion of separating Yisrael from the other nations.  It provides 'proofs' and justifications for the idea that G-d favoured Yisrael not for our compliance but because no other nation complied.  The end of today's daf posits that G-d did not give the nations the Torah because they did not observe the seven Noahide laws that they had already been given.  Why share more obligations/mitzvot?  The rabbis are eager to explain both the hatred that they face and the reasons that they deserve exceptional treatment from G-d.