Commentary for Avodah Zarah 30:2
אמר רבה מי דמי התם אין אדם מצווה על שביתת בהמתו בשביעית הכא אדם מצווה על שביתת בהמתו בשבת
Rabbah said: Are the two cases similar? In that other case, one is not commanded to let one’s cattle rest on the Sabbatical year, whereas in our case, one is commanded to let one’s cattle rest on the Sabbath!
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Rabbah points out that the cases are not the same. One is not commanded to make sure that one’s cattle rests on the Sabbatical year. It is a prohibition that falls on the person, not on the cattle. But when it comes to Shabbat, one is commanded not to let one’s cattle work on Shabbat. Therefore, Rabbah argues, a Jew cannot sell his animal to an idolater.
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