“And all the men of his household, born in the house or purchased with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him” (Genesis 17:27). “And all the men of his household, born in the house or purchased with money” – it is taught: One may go to an idolatrous fair,37A fair where some of the proceedings go towards idol worship. [even] during the intermediate days of the Festival, to purchase from them houses, fields, vineyards,38Although attending idolatrous fairs is usually forbidden, the transfer of property in the land of Israel from idolaters to Jews is important enough to outweigh the prohibition. slaves and maidservants.

Rabbi Ami said in the name of Reish Lakish; It is not only for circumcised slaves39That is, slaves that had been owned by Jews and converted to Judaism. It is certainly of great urgency to redeem such a slave from the possession of idolaters, under whose mastery he would not be able to practice his religion. that it is permitted for him, but even for uncircumcised ones, because he brings them under the wings of the Divine Presence.40Even if they had not been converted beforehand, the Jewish buyer would have an opportunity to do so now.

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi asked before Reish Lakish, saying to him: ‘What is the ruling regarding the purchase of slaves from idolaters?’ He said to him: ‘Regarding when are you asking me, on a Festival? It is taught: Even on Shabbat. Likewise, if one purchases a courtyard41From an idolater. in the Land of Israel [on Shabbat], he says to him: I offer such and such a price, to be paid tomorrow.’42Although the deal may be completed on Shabbat, he may not pay the money on Shabbat.

It is because the Land of Israel is so beloved that it is permitted for him to say so. Ḥizkiya taught: “[…to build siegeworks against the city that makes war with you,] until it is subdued” (Deuteronomy 20:20) – even on Shabbat,43One may wage war to conquer a city in the Land of Israel even on Shabbat. as we find that Jericho was conquered only on Shabbat.44It was conquered on “the seventh day” (Joshua 6:15).

There are three [idolatrous] fairs: The Gaza fair, the Akko fair, and the Botnan fair, and the most obvious one of all is the Botnan fair.45It is obvious that it is dedicated to idol worship. Abraham said: ‘Before I was circumcised, passersby would come in to me. Perhaps now that I am circumcised they will no longer come in to me.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘Before you were circumcised, people would come to you.

Now, I, in My glory, am coming and revealing Myself to you.’ That is what is written: “The Lord appeared to him in the plains of Mamre” (Genesis 18:1).