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R. Eitam Henkin (R. Y.H. Henkin's son) wrote an essay on the curious Rashi. He claims there that the text attributed to Rashi was a later interpolation by an errant student, since it is not referred to by any of the subsequent commentaries for centuries. His argument is not the usual "must have been an errant student" type, but rather is quite convincingly ...

Firstly, I want to wish you Hatzlacha in your learning, learning new Masechtos are always exciting and Avodah Zarah is no different. This answer focuses more on the 'Themes' that the Masechta has, as well as some practical learning advice. Here are the major themes the Masechta has (please forgive me if the list is missing something, as this is being ...

I emailed a couple of guys who were involved with leading a class and an in-depth chabura on Avoda Zara in the past few years. Here are their recommendations (mostly verbatim, but lightly edited and be-linked): For Avoda Zara, there is a wonderful set, recently published, called Avoda Berurah, which I found to be very comprehensive. For the sugyos on ...

To mention something that nobody else here appears to have mentioned, I would strongly recommend starting with the Mishna, rather than simply launching into Mishna + Gemara. Familiarise yourself with the five mishnaic peraqim (and, ideally, with the nine toseftan peraqim as well). That will give you a really solid basis in the underlying legislation before ...

Check out the Gemara put out by The Halacha Brura and Birur Halacha Institute. This Gemara is a great way to learn a Masechta Be'Iyun. I described it at length in this answer. Also, as mentioned in this answer, The Mittler Rebbe (Second Chabad Rebbe) describes several different ways to learn Halacha Be'Iyun. The most involved way (see here) involves: ...

If you want to learn it well and follow it through to the halacha, Ein Ya'akov won't help you much. Ein Ya'akov is useful if your primary focus is on the aggadeta. In my opinion (based in part on personal experience) your best bet would be to first complete the Gemara, Rashi, and Tosafos on each sugya, then the Rif on the entire sugya, and then the Rosh and ...