What are the laws of "Lo Tachanem"?

Greetings,

The Gemara in Tractate Avodah Zarah (Daf 20, Amud 1) learns from the verse (Deuteronomy 7:2) "Lo Tachanem" three prohibitions -

1. Do not grant them residence, meaning it is forbidden to sell land to a non-Jew in the Land of Israel. This is also stated in the Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah (Siman 139, Se'if 8) that one should not sell houses or fields to non-Jews in the Land of Israel. However, there is a significant dispute regarding whether this prohibition applies to all non-Jews or only to idol worshippers. Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef zt"l in his responsa Yabia Omer, part 10 (part Yoreh De'ah, Siman 41, paragraphs a-f) rules that it only applies to idol worshippers.

2. Do not grant them favor, meaning it is forbidden to say how beautiful such an idol worshipper is, although if one intends by their words to give thanks to Hashem for creating such a beautiful being, it is permitted.

This is indeed the ruling in the Shulchan Aruch (ibid, Se'if 14) that it is forbidden to praise an idol worshipper, even to say how beautiful such an idol worshipper is in their appearance. How much more so is it forbidden to praise their actions or to develop affection for their words, but if one intends their praise to thank Hashem for creating such a being, it is permitted.

The prohibition to praise non-Jews specifically applies if they are idol worshippers; however, there is no prohibition to praise non-Jews who are not idol worshippers (Responsum Tzitz Eliezer, part 15, Siman 47, paragraph 5. This is also according to the previously mentioned responsa Yabia Omer).

What is forbidden regarding praising non-Jews because of "Lo Tachanem" only applies if speaking publicly about it. However, in one's thoughts alone, there is no prohibition according to the primary law (Tzitz Eliezer, ibid, paragraph a).

3. Do not give them a gift for free. The prohibition applies specifically to giving a gift for free to a non-Jew that one does not know (Shulchan Aruch, ibid, Se'if 11), but if one knows them, it is permitted. The reason for the leniency is because it is not considered a gift, as he will pay back his due or has already paid him (Turi Zahav, 138). According to the aforementioned poskim who hold that there is no prohibition to sell land or to grant favor to a non-Jew who is not an idol worshipper, the same principle applies; there is no prohibition to give a free gift to a non-Jew who is not an idol worshipper.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs