Arakhin 6A

תנא חדא: גוי שהתנדב נדבה לבדק הבית מקבלים הימנו, ותניא אידך: אין מקבלין!

§ The Talmud notes that there is an apparent contradiction with regard to the issue of whether or not a non-Jew may donate for the purpose of Temple maintenance. It was taught in one baraita: In the case of a non-Jew who pledged a gift for Temple maintenance, one accepts it from him. And it is taught in another baraita: One does not accept it from him.

אמר רבי אילא אמר רבי יוחנן: לא קשיא, הא ⁠— בתחילה, הא ⁠— בסוף.

R' Ila says that R' Yoḥanan says: It is not difficult. This baraita, which teaches that the donation is not accepted, is stated with regard to the beginning of the building of the Temple. The donation is refused in order that the Jews not rely upon on the donations of non-Jews. That baraita, which states that the donation is accepted, is stated with regard to the end of the building of the Temple, i.e., after it is already built.

דאמר רבי אסי אמר רבי יוחנן: בתחילה, אפילו מים ומלח אין מקבלין מהם. בסוף, דבר המסויים אין מקבלין, דבר שאינו מסויים מקבלין. היכי דמי דבר המסויים? אמר רב יוסף: כגון אמה כליא עורב.

As R' Asi says that R' Yoḥanan says with regard to donations of non-Jews for Temple maintenance: With regard to the beginning of the building of the Temple, one may not accept even water and salt from them. With regard to the end of the building of the Temple, one may not accept a defined item, i.e., if it will be clear that this was donated by a non-Jew. But one may accept their gift of an item that is not defined. The Talmud asks: What is considered to be a defined item? Rav Yosef says: For example: the cubit-wide spiked plates placed on the roof of the Sanctuary, which were designed to eliminate the ravens.