Reference for Gittin 123:17
<br><br><big><strong>הדרן עלך הניזקין:</strong></big><br><br>
but here what distinguishing mark is there? — That he puts it in a vessel made of baked ordure, of stone, or of earth. If that is so, why does it say. 'in vessels of a haber'? Those of an 'am ha-arez would do as well? — That in fact is what is meant; vessels of an 'am ha-arez which a haber can also use.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., vessels which are not capable of receiving uncleanness. ');"><sup>15</sup></span> ASSISTANCE MAY BE GIVEN TO HEATHENS IN THE SABBATICAL YEAR. Assistance may be given to them? Has not R. Dimi b. Shishna said in the name of Rab; It is not right to hoe with heathens in the Sabbatical year nor to give a double greeting<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., 'Peace, Peace.' ');"><sup>16</sup></span> to heathens? — It is quite correct; what is meant is, just to say to them, Ahzuku!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'be strong.' or 'be assisted' — a gesture of encouragement. ');"><sup>17</sup></span> Thus R. Judah used to say to them, Ahzuku! R. Shesheth used to say to them, Asharta!<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'firmness', 'strength'. ');"><sup>18</sup></span> 'Nor to give double greeting to heathens.' R. Hisda used to give them greeting first. R. Kahana used to say; Peace [to you,] sir. GREETING MAY BE GIVEN TO THEM, IN THE INTERESTS OF PEACE. Seeing that we may encourage them at their work, do we need to be told that we may give them greeting? — R. Yeba said; The rule had to be stated only for their feast days. For it has been taught; 'A man should not enter the house of a heathen on his feast day, nor give him greeting.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lest he might take it a; a compliment to his god. ');"><sup>19</sup></span> Should he meet him in the street, he should greet him in a mumbling tone and with downcast head.' As R. Huna and R. Hisda were once sitting together. Geniba<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' V. supra. p. 7, where it is stated that Geniba used always to annoy Mar 'Ukba. ');"><sup>20</sup></span> began to pass by. Said one to the other, Let us rise before him, since he is a learned man.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Lit., 'son of the law'. ');"><sup>21</sup></span> The other replied; Shall we rise before one who is quarrelsome? At this point he came up to them and said, Peace to you, kings, peace to you, kings. They said to him; Whence do you learn that the Rabbis are called kings? He replied; Because it is written, By me [wisdom]<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., the Torah. ');"><sup>22</sup></span> kings reign.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Prov. VIII, 15. ');"><sup>23</sup></span> They then said; And whence do you learn that double greeting is to be given to kings? He replied; From what Rab Judah said in the name of Rab; 'How do we know that double greeting should be given to a king? Because it says, Then the spirit came upon Amasai who was chief of the thirty etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I Chron. XII, 19. The verse continues, Peace, peace be upon thee. ');"><sup>24</sup></span> They said to him; Would you care for a bite with us? He replied; Thus said Rab Judah in the name of Rab; It is forbidden to a man to taste anything until he has given food to his beast, as it says [first]. And I will give grass in thy field for thy cattle, and then, Thou shalt eat and be full.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Deut. XI, 15. ');"><sup>25</sup></span>