An Interesting Trend (Avodah Zarah 7b)

For the past few days the Talmud has focused on one question: are we allowed to do business with idol worshipers on the days surrounding a pagan holiday. According to the predominant view of the Mishnah we are not allowed to buy, sell, loan, lend, and borrow from pagans three days before and three days after their holiday (called eid).

However, this law was written at a time when Jews had the flexibility to avoid business with non-Jews around their holidays. As time went on and Jews and non-Jews did more business this flexibility would fade.

On our daf (page) today we have the first notion that things are changing. Shmuel (who lives in Babylonia) limited the rather stringent ruling from the Mishnah to communities who live in Israel. For those who live in the Diaspora (his home) is only forbidden to do business on the festival itself.

Later scholars, living in places like the Rhineland and Provance will take this a step further.  Some will explain that due to fear and livelihood this law no longer applies (see Rashi). Others like the Meiri and Rabbeinu Tam will prove that Christian Europe is a wholly different thing than pagan Israel or Babylonia and trading with Christians near their festivals should be allow even a priori.

All this shows that the halachah is a fluid process, moving and changing (albeit with a lot of intention and respect to tradition) throughout time.