Commentary for Avodah Zarah 30:15
תנו רבנן אין מוכרין להן תריסין וי"א מוכרין להן תריסין מ"ט אילימא משום דמגנו עלייהו אי הכי אפילו חיטי ושערי נמי לא אמר רב
Our Rabbis taught: It is forbidden to sell them shields; some say, however, that shields may be sold to them. What is the reason [for this prohibition]? If we say because they protect them, then even wheat or barley should not [be sold to them]. Rav said:
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
This baraita prohibits even selling defensive shields to non-Jews (although there is a version that allows one to sell them shields).
If it is prohibited to sell them weapons of defense, then it should also be prohibited to sell them food. After all, food is necessary to fend off death. And indeed, this is what Rav holds. If it would be possible to avoid selling food to them, then one should, according to Rav. I should note that this is an extreme opinion—the notion being that one should do whatever one can to avoid aiding non-Jews. It is not representative of the majority of the sages.
If it is prohibited to sell them weapons of defense, then it should also be prohibited to sell them food. After all, food is necessary to fend off death. And indeed, this is what Rav holds. If it would be possible to avoid selling food to them, then one should, according to Rav. I should note that this is an extreme opinion—the notion being that one should do whatever one can to avoid aiding non-Jews. It is not representative of the majority of the sages.
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