temp

No houses or fields shall be sold to them in Eretz Yisrael, but in Syria houses may be sold to them but not fields. It is permitted to lease houses to them in Eretz Yisrael, provided no idolatrous settlement is established by them, and no settlement is considered such if there are no three houses therein; but it is forbidden to lease fields unto them. In Syria it is permitted to lease to them fields too. Wherefore has a field been considered the major? Because therein are found two reasons: (a) the idolater removes the obligation of tithes therefrom, and (b) the Israelite shows mercy in giving land to an idolater. But an Israelite who owns land without Eretz Yisrael may sell them there both, house and fields, because it is not the Promised Land.³Ibid. 20b–21a. C. Even in the places where the leasing of houses to them is permitted, it is not for dwelling purposes that the permission was granted, as it would bring the abomination of idolatry into it, against which it is said: "Thou shalt bring no abomination into thy house" (Deut. 7.26); but one may lease houses to them for storage. It is forbidden to sell them fruit on the trees, or grain on the stalk; but he may sell it after it be harvested, or sell to one on condition that he harvest it, and when he does harvest it the purchase is binding. But wherefore is it forbidden to sell it to them? Because it is said: "Nor show mercy unto them" (Ibid. 7.2)—given them no permanency on land, for by having no land their settlement will be but a temporary one.⁵The Talmud here interprets the word of the root Hano, resting. G. It is also forbidden to speak in praise of idolatry, even to say: "How beautiful is this idol's facial features". From this minor premise the major premise can be deducted that it is forbidden to speak in praise of the performance of idolatry, or to love any of its parts even as it is said: "Nor show mercy unto them" (Ibid.), they should have no grace in thine eyes,⁶Here the word is interpreted to mean grace, from the noun Hein. G. for it will be a cause to cleave to it and learn its evil deeds. It is, moreover, forbidden to give them a present outright, but it is permitted to give a present outright to an alien sojourner, even as it is said: "Unto the stranger that is in thy gates canst thou give it, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien" (Deut.121.) — to an alien by selling it to him, and not by presenting it to him.⁷Ibid. 19a–20b. C.