Commentary for Avodah Zarah 34:12
ומ"ט קא שבקת עבדך לחירות אמר להו לא היו דברים מעולם קם חד [מינייהו] לאסהודי ביה אתא אליהו אידמי ליה כחד מחשובי דמלכותא א"ל מדאתרחיש ליה ניסא בכולהו בהא נמי אתרחיש ליה ניסא וההוא גברא בישותיה הוא דקא אחוי
“And why did you let your slave go free?” He replied, “No such thing ever happened.” One of them rose to testify against him. Elijah came, appearing as one of the dignitaries of Rome. He said to that man, “Since a miracle was worked for him in all the other matters, a miracle will also happen in this one, and you will only come out looking bad.”
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
According to this story, the authorities forbade slave owners from freeing their slaves. Perhaps they feared that this would lead to a revolt. R. Elazar, evidently did free his slave, but now denies it. Elijah appears to warn the man who wants to testify against R. Elazar that this will be to no avail. The man ignores Elijah, but again, a miracle occurs and R. Elazar is saved.
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