Commentary for Avodah Zarah 59:13
רב לא שתי מבי ארמאה אמר לא זהירי בגילוי מבי ארמלתא שתי אמר סירכא דגברא נקיטא
Rav did not drink water from a non-Jew’s house, saying that they are not cautious about the laws of leaving liquid uncovered. From a widow's house he did drink, saying, she follows her husband's practice.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
According to Rav only Jewish men are particularly careful about the laws of not drinking from uncovered vessels. So he won’t drink water at a non-Jew’s house. And the only reason he drinks at a widow’s house is that he assumes she follows the customs of her husband. Shmuel acted in an opposite manner, not trusting the widow but trusting the non-Jew, assuming snakes won’t be found in his house.
There is also a version where Shmuel would drink from neither house.
The impression from this piece is that not drinking uncovered water was considered part of high, educated culture and that people would question who was keeping these health restrictions, and who was not. Jewish males are assumed to keep these laws. Non-Jews and females are not.
There is also a version where Shmuel would drink from neither house.
The impression from this piece is that not drinking uncovered water was considered part of high, educated culture and that people would question who was keeping these health restrictions, and who was not. Jewish males are assumed to keep these laws. Non-Jews and females are not.
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