Avoda Zara 13: Gentile Fairs, Slaves, and Animals

Is a Jew permitted to purchase something from a store where some of the taxes but not all will go toward the practice of idol worship?    Is a Jew permitted to enter a Gentile fair and purchase items in that place, unaware of whether or not the money will benefit idol-worshippers?  The rabbis reference the halachot that apply to priests who debate whether or not to leave the holy land of Israel if they feel that they must learn from someone outside of HaAretz.  We learn that the rabbis are somewhat lenient on these points.  They understand the importance of maintaining business relationships with Gentiles.

The Gemara takes a gory turn and discusses the previous baraita's notion that an animal should be destroyed.  They consider the notion of destruction - maiming an animal, starving an animal, slaughtering an animal.  The rabbis speak of the differences between sanctified and non-sanctified animals.  They note that one is not permitted to blemish a sacrificial animal.  

Such practices are compared with those permitted regarding Gentile slaves versus Jewish slaves, who are not permitted to be harmed.  Gentile slaves and animals are not to be lowered; they are not to be raised up, either.  We are told the story of two rabbis who meet at a Gentile fair, both wearing new sneakers.  Each chastises the other for transgressing the prohibition from buying at a Gentile Fair.  In fact, each had purchased the sandals from individual homeowners, who are not required to pay taxes that will benefit idol-worship.  

We end today's daf with a new Mishna, which teaches us about those items which cannot be sold to Gentiles at any time.  These items will be used in the practice of idol worship:

• a rounded, circular item thought to have healing powers
• benot shuoch
• petotarot
• frankincense
• a white rooster, used for sacrifice to an idol and thus only sold with a group of other roosters or with a severed toe
• a palm tree, chatslav, natsav (These are added by Rabbi Meir)