Buying from a non-Jew on their festival day
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Question
Shalom Rav,
Regarding shopping at the end of the civil year, the Mishnah at the beginning of Avodah Zarah is well known, stating that one may not do business with idolaters in the days before and after their festival. Is there any prohibition on shopping at the end of the year? Is there a difference between Christians, Muslims, and Druze?
And is there a difference between buying in a chain store where all the employees are non-Jews and buying from a private individual?
Thank you very much, I would be happy to see sources.
Answer
Shalom u’vracha.
This prohibition does not apply in our times.
Therefore, it is permitted to buy from and sell to non-Jews on their festival day and close to it.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah, siman 148, se’if 12
Some say that all these matters were stated only for that time, but in our time they are not well-versed in the nature of idols; therefore it is permitted to do business with them on their festival day, to lend to them, and to do all other matters.
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