Commentary for Avodah Zarah 45:9
ודלמא דכולי עלמא לא חיישינן לרביעה והכא היינו טעמא דר"א כדתני שילא דתני שילא מ"ט דר' אליעזר (במדבר יט, ב) דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו אליך בני ישראל יקחו ואין העובדי כוכבים יקחו
But [still] it may be that all agree that we are not suspicious about adultery, but here the reason for R. Eliezer's ruling is as was taught by Shila? For Shila taught: What is the reason for R. Eliezer's ruling? “Speak to the children of Israel, and they shall bring to you” (Numbers 19:2), [which implies that] Israelites shall bring, but non-Jews should not bring.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Shila suggests that the reason R. Eliezer does not allow one to purchase a red heifer from a non-Jew is that the verse which begins this chapter starts off with “speak to the children of Israel.” Thus he is not concerned lest the non-Jew engage in bestiality with the heifer.
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