Commentary for Avodah Zarah 129:1
לאבידרנא ביום אידם אמר ידענא ביה דלא פלח לעבודת כוכבים א"ל רב יוסף והתניא איזהו גר תושב כל שקיבל עליו בפני ג' חברים שלא לעבוד עבודת כוכבים כי תניא ההיא להחיותו
to Avidarna on the day of their feast saying, “I know that he does not worship idols.” Joseph said to him: But it has been taught: Who is a ger toshav! Any [Gentile] who takes upon himself in the presence of three haverim not to worship idols! [Rav Judah] replied: This teaching applies only to the matter of supporting him.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Rav Judah proclaims personal confidence that a particular non-Jew does not worship idols and therefore the prohibition of giving him a gift on his feast day does not apply. But R. Joseph demurs—in order to get out of the status of idol worshipper one must make a formal declaration in front of three haverim, a synonym (at least here) for those who observe the laws scrupulously.
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Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Rav Judah limits the applicability of the ger toshav needing to make a declaration in front of three haverim. Such a declaration is necessary only in order to receive financial support from the Jewish community. But one may give any non-Jew a gift as long as one is sure that he will not go and thank his idols for the gift.
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