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I read in the Book of Isaiah (Is. 56:1-8), about the foreigner joining Hashem. I asked my Rabbi briefly about this passage. He explained that the passage is probably neither about a gerut conversion or someone becoming noachide, but something called a 'ger toshav'.

So, I'm asking if some one would like to enlighten me regarding this subject. I'm sorry I can't be more specific in my question, as this is a new concept to me.

Very grateful for any answers.

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See this: judaism.stackexchange.com/q/13488/1569 – b a Sep 14 '12 at 5:19
In light of @ba's comment (thanks, b a), I think this question should be reworded so it asks what a ger toshav is only, so people don't answer it with an explanation of Is., which is covered by the other question. Just MHO. – msh210♦ Sep 14 '12 at 5:30
@b a 4, thanks for the link – Millthorn Sep 14 '12 at 9:41

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In Avodah Zarah 64b, they ask: Who is a "ger toshav"? Whoever accepts upon himself, in front of three friends, not to worship idolatry — these are the words of Rabbi Me'ir. And the rabbis say: Whoever accepts upon himself the seven sins which the sons of Noach accepted upon themselves. And others (i.e. Elisha Acher) say: None of these are a "ger toshav." A "ger toshav" is whoever accepts upon himself all the commandments except not to eat neveilah.

The Rambam (Isurei Biah 14:7) rules like the rabbis. This definition of a "ger toshav" is what we are regular to call a "ben Noach." So according to the halachah, there is no difference between a ger toshav and a ben Noach, but according to the other opinions in the gemara there is. The Rambam there says that he's called a "ger toshav" (lit. resident stranger) because he's allowed to live in Israel with us.

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Thank you. Very interesting. – Millthorn Sep 14 '12 at 9:32
The difference between a ben Noach and a ger toshav would appear to be that the ger toshav accepts the designation and agrees to heed those seven commandments. – Monica Cellio♦ Sep 14 '12 at 12:58
Note that I defined a ger toshav as "what we are regular to call a 'ben Noach'" (in reality, all of mankind are bnei Noach) – b a Sep 14 '12 at 20:19

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