Below is an extract from the introduction to the Artscroll edition of Avodah Zarah. It is most welcoming that this introduction was written, as this is a very sensitive and possibly dangerous area of halacha, that if applied today could have terrible repercussions in the realm of peaceful relations with our neighbours.
It is clear that the negative remarks in this tractate about the morals of idol worshipers were descriptive of the pagans whose depraved behaviour the Sages observed, and should not be construed as pertaining to any of the cultured societies in which we reside nowadays. [9] On the contrary, Rabbinic luminaries in recent centuries spoke and wrote extensively about the responsibility of Jews to appreciate the kindness of the modern nations who recognize God and are hospitable to people of all religions, and about the obligation upon Jews residing in these nations to pray for their welfare. [10)
With recognition of the benefits that modern society has provided us, and retrospection as to the tribulations our people faced in earlier times, we begin our study of this tractate with the prayer that it be the Will of Hashem for us to speedily witness fulfilment of the verse (Isaiah 11:9), “They will neither injure nor destroy in all of my sacred mountain, for the world will be as filled with knowledge of Hashem as water covering the seabed. Fervently, we await realisation of the prophecy (Zecharia 14:9), “Hashem will be king over all the world – on that day Hashem will be One and his Name will be One)
[9] – Noda BiYehuda writes (in his preface.. ): I hereby announce and publicize – not only regarding my own publication, but also regarding all [Talmudic and halachic] works – that wherever there is a derogatory statement about “idol worshipers”, “gentiles” or the like, one should not erroneously interpret it as applying to the peoples of our times, for whoever explains it in this manner is grossly mistaken and distorts the law of the Torah, Rather, the intent is for the people of earlier times who worshipped the stars and constellations. See also preface to Kreisi U’Pleisi
[10] – See, for example, Derashos Chasam Sofer Vol II, pp. 789-797, where Chasam Sofer’s numerous sermons in this regard are recorded. See also Teshuva Mabit II:199, Alshich, Introduction to commentary on the Torah …. , Be’er HaGola, Noda BiYehuda ibid, Kreisi U’Pleisi ibid , R’S.R Hirsch ibid pp. 226-8, Tiferes Yisrael Boas, Bava Kamma 4:1
The foremost halachic authority of our generation, R Moshe Feinstein called upon American Jews to appreciate the compassion and goodwill of the American populace and to thank God for his kindness in letting many of his people find refuge under the auspices of this “Government of Benevolence (Igros Moshe Chosen Mishpat II:29)