Commentary for Avodah Zarah 46:10
גופא תני שילא מ"ט דרבי אליעזר דכתיב (במדבר יט, ב) דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו בני ישראל יקחו ואין העובדי כוכבים יקחו אלא מעתה (שמות כה, ב) דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה ה"נ דבני ישראל יקחו ואין העובדי כוכבים יקחו
The above text stated: Shila taught: What is the reason for R. Eliezer's ruling? It is as it is written, “Speak to the children of Israel and they shall bring” (Numbers 19:2), [which imply that] Israelites shall bring, but non-Jews should not bring. According to this, “Speak to the children of Israel that they bring for me an offering” (Exodus 25:2) Israelites should bring and non-Jews should not bring.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
The Talmud now tries another tack. Maybe the rabbis too are concerned about bestiality. But they assume that a non-Jew will not have sex with the red heifer because that would be a great loss. But when it comes to other sacrifices, maybe they would have sex with the animal. After all, it’s not such a big financial loss if the Jew won’t buy it.
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Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
According to Shila, R. Eliezer disqualifies a red heifer bought from a non-Jew because of the verse, “Speak to the children of Israel.” But the same language is used in connection with offerings for the Temple and non-Jews do seem to be allowed to make donations to the Temple.
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