Eduyos 8:7-Avodah Zarah 1:1

Eduyos 8:7

Rabbi Yehoshua received a tradition from Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, who received it from his teacher, and he from his teacher, all the way back to Moses at Sinai, that Eliyahu will not declare people to be fit or unfit for purposes of marriage (i.e., the current status quo in such matters will persist). What he will do is correct situations in which unfit people were allowed in improperly by exerting influence, or in which fit people were kept out improperly by force. For example, the Beis Tzerifa family on the other side of the Jordan was improperly kept out by Ben Tziyon. There was another family, which was unfit, that Ben Tziyon used his influence to bring in. Eliyahu will correct situations such as these. (The Mishna is careful not to slander the second family’s reputation by naming them.) Rabbi Yehuda says that Eliyahu will let in those who were improperly kept out but he will not kick out anyone who is already in. Rabbi Shimon says that Eliyahu will resolve halachic disputes. The Sages say that Eliyahu will neither include people in nor exclude them from the marriage pool. Rather, he will make peace in the world, as per Malachi 3:23-24, “Behold, I will send you the prophet Eliyahu…and he will turn the hearts of fathers towards their children and the hearts of children towards their fathers.”

Avodah Zara 1:1

For three days prior to the holidays of idolators, it is prohibited to engage in business with them, to lend or borrow objects with them, to give or take loans with them, or to pay or collect debts with them. Rabbi Yehuda says that debts may be collected from them because this doesn’t create joy (so it will not lead to them thanking their idols). The Sages replied that though he may be sad at the time he repays his debt, he will subsequently rejoice (for having resolved the debt, so he will still thank the idol for it on his holiday).