Questions tagged [gentiles]
Relations with non-Jews, and laws regarding them.
1,060
questions
4
votes
2
answers
507
views
Gentile keeping shabbos
While I do not know the source, I have heard many times that Gentiles are forbidden from keeping Shabbos and must make sure to violate at least one law of the Shabbos every Shabbos. If this is the ...
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the difference between a Ger Toshav, a Ben Noach, an Akum and a Nochri?
These terms get used a lot in referring to gentiles. What are the precise differences, if any, between these different categories? Just for clarity, Akum is an abbreviation of the phrase 'Eved ...
1
vote
1
answer
373
views
Why aren't non-Jews commonly called "Ivrim"?
This article claims that one opinion is that the word "Ivri" is related to "Ever", one of Noah's descendants.
The Bible uses the term "Ivri" in many places. Avram was called an "Ivri" (Breishit (Gen....
2
votes
0
answers
292
views
Where does Maimonides write that Muslims may pray in a synagogue?
Regarding the Muslims who were praying in a Synagogue, I read that Rambam ruled that it was permissible for Muslims to pray in a Synagogue - I haven't been able to find a source for this, does someone ...
7
votes
1
answer
717
views
Jewish viewpoint on Gentiles celebrating a Christian Seder?
I am a Gentile and a practicing Christian and would like to know how the Jewish community considers some Christians celebrating their own particular forms of a Christian Seder?
Christian Passover
...
4
votes
0
answers
68
views
Is it okay for a gentile to join a Christian or an Islamic charity movement?
If a gentile want to spend his free time other than Study Torah and want to join a Charity movement but the problem isnthat all the charity movements he/she knows and are near them is Christian or ...
3
votes
0
answers
325
views
Is it okay for a gentile to study Torah if the goal is to get closer to HaShem?
If a gentile is studying Torah but not to imitate the Jews and "hijack" the Torah and respect the boundaries between The Jews and Gentiles, yet he/she wants to study Torah (both written and oral) ...
0
votes
1
answer
219
views
Are non-Jews held accountable for their deeds?
According to the "Path of the Just" by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato ch.3
For one who is still held captive in the prison of his evil
inclination - his eyes do not see this truth, and he is incapable ...
1
vote
0
answers
216
views
Non Jews: What honor to give a non jewish father at an Orthodox bar mitzvah (Jewish son) or at a wedding?
I have heard from an active Rabbi that he would give a non Jewish father the honor of opening the ark. What about putting on a Torah covering? Where is this issue discussed in halachic sources? Due ...
3
votes
1
answer
264
views
How can Gentile that kept Shabbat repent? [closed]
I have kept Shabbat for two and a half years. I stopped doing this almost half a year ago. I know that Gentile who does this deserves death according to Talmud. Any sources that can give me a little ...
3
votes
1
answer
322
views
Chukos Ha'goyim at a wedding ceremony
Are there any practices that accompany weddings (and the whole engagement/marriage process) that one has to be careful to avoid because of the prohibition of following in the ways of the non-Jews (...
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Gentile say a Bracha before a wedding feast?
If a gentile has been called upon to give the blessing before a wedding meal, with part of the wedding party being Jewish, would there be any problem with including a standard bracha at the end of the ...
2
votes
1
answer
469
views
Who are the Gomerites?
So I am reading Parashas Noach,and it lists Gomer, grandson of Yefes there.And obviously all the descendants became nations. But, who, according to the chachamim are the Gomerites today?
Thanks
4
votes
1
answer
307
views
Noahide studying creation
Can Noahide study matters related to creation like first day of creation, commentaries of Ramban, Rashi and others? If so what are limits to such study and how much can one speculate about it?
5
votes
1
answer
227
views
Question on Magog son of Yefes and Gog uMagog
Is the nation of Magog the same Magog as the Magog in Gog uMagog?
0
votes
2
answers
239
views
Jewish Barber, Gentile Customer
Is it halachically permissible for a Jewish barber to use a razor to shave a gentile customer's face?
2
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Is Islam Avodah Zara?
Is Islam avodah zarah? The reason why I ask is because in Mecca, at the Kaaba there is a black stone which the Muslims kiss and believe is holy.
Is kissing the stone and believing it's holy a problem ...
5
votes
2
answers
297
views
Setting up non-Jews for marriage
Is one halachicly allowed to set up two non-Jews for marriage? I don't see why it should be an issue,but not sure. I wondered if anyone discusses this.
4
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Pagan practice to clink glasses?
Is it a pagan practice for two (or more) people to clink glasses together (e.g. when making a toast)? Do any Biblical or Talmudic sources discuss this practice?
2
votes
0
answers
74
views
Is it offensive for a Christian to experience the Passover with a Jewish family? [duplicate]
Is it offensive for a Christian to experience the Passover with a Jewish family?
I am a Christian and would like to be able to experience the Passover in a genuinely Jewish traditional family, but I ...
3
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Were there non-Jewish prophets? If yes, who were they and what were their purpose?
Do Jewish scriptures mention any non-Jewish prophet? If yes, what kind of message did these prophets preach (was it identical with Judaism for example?), and what were their purpose in general?
2
votes
1
answer
451
views
Isaiah 53 How does Israel's suffering atone for the sins of the nations?
Isaiah 53:4
Indeed, he bore our illnesses, and our pains-he carried them, yet we accounted him as plagued, smitten by God and oppressed.
דאָכֵן חֳלָיֵנוּ הוּא נָשָׂא וּמַכְאֹבֵינוּ סְבָלָם וַאֲנַחְנוּ ...
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
The name Nataliyah/Natali (is it Jewish?) [closed]
Where does the name Natalia come from? I ask this because many many Jewish girls, even religious ones, use this as a name. I always thought that it is a feminine version of Naftali, is that true? Or ...
-3
votes
1
answer
125
views
Taking Unclaimed Luggage From an Airport
The Gemara in Sanhedrin 76b says that one is not allowed to return a lost item to a non-Jew. The Gemara speaks very harshly of one who does this. The Rambam (Hilchos Gezeilah 11:3) codifies this ...
5
votes
0
answers
97
views
Non-Jewish father: son of whom for an aliyah? [duplicate]
Let's say there is a person born of Jewish mother, but not a Jewish father. To further complicate things, the mother was raised secular and at a later point converts to Christianity. Does her change ...
18
votes
7
answers
3k
views
Is the title: "New" Testament offensive to Jews? Alternative neutral name?
Having lived in Israel during several periods of my life, I know that the words "Old" in the "Old Testament" and "New" in the "New Testament" are offensive to many Jews. From what I understand, it's ...
4
votes
1
answer
376
views
If I left my kitchen under the control of someone who is a Gentile or not Shomer Shabbos, is it still kosher?
If I left my kitchen (or set of kosher dishes, etc.) with someone who is a) not Jewish or b) Jewish but not shomer Shabbos--in such a way that they could access it and hypothetically do anything they ...
11
votes
3
answers
36k
views
Is it acceptable for a Gentile to attend a service at a Synagogue without intent of conversion?
I'm a practicing Christian getting my master's degree in education, and one of my classes (cultural foundations of education) calls for me to spend time in a culture other than my own.
I have a ...
2
votes
1
answer
596
views
Would a gentile servant in a Jewish home keep the sabbath? Would a gentile servant be a shabbas goy?
My great grandmother lived at her uncle's inn near Lemberg, in Galicia. in the 1880s. I am writing a novel based in part on her experiences. Based on my research so far, it seems to me that her ...
2
votes
1
answer
243
views
Was it a non-Jew who first discovered the principles governing the ta'ame ha-miqra?
I wrote to a very well respected and knowledgeable Rav regarding grammatical functions of the te'amim and the discrepancies that exist between the Sephardic and Ashkenazic systems. His response ...
6
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Befriending a non-Jew
We all live amongst non-Jews. Sometimes we meet a non-jew and befriend him because he shares the same values that we do.
Is one allowed to befriend a non-Jew?
-9
votes
1
answer
251
views
Are the Conservatives and all who practice it considered non-Jews in the eyes of Orthodoxy
From what I understand, the Orthodox declared all within the German Reform movement as karet, cut off, non-Jews, and they don't recognize any Reform Jew as Jewish to this day. However, some of these ...
1
vote
1
answer
390
views
How Could Jezebel, the Worshipper of Baal, be the Mother of Two Kings of Israel?
Jezebel was not Jewish by birth (Kings 1:16:31), nor do the verses say she converted. How did her two sons become kings of Israel and why didn't anybody like Elijah or Elisha (and later on especially ...
1
vote
0
answers
125
views
Questioning who is the real Achashverosh
So I am doing very much research and I am trying to find out the REAL Achashverosh, so far, there are several possible rulers of Persia that could be the real Achashverosh
Can anyone of you guys ...
4
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Eating With Gentiles
Is there a Rabbinic law or a known pre-Rabbinic custom that supports a prohibition of Jews eating with Gentiles even if the meals are kosher?
3
votes
1
answer
128
views
When does an Eved Knani become bar mitzvah?
When does an Eved Knani become bar mitzvah, at age 12 like a woman or 13 like a man?
2
votes
0
answers
115
views
Does the first Noahide Law prohibit idolatry or being an atheist? [duplicate]
Does the first Law of Noach prohibit idolatry or being an atheist, or both?
In some formulations of the 7 Noahide Laws, the first law is given as "Denying G-d" (or similar). In others, it is ...
4
votes
0
answers
68
views
Noachides: are Jews responsible for their spiritual support? [duplicate]
Are Jews responsible for helping non-Jews learn of and follow the seven commandments given to Noachides? Is it a mitzvah for Jews? I recall hearing the Lubavitcher Rebbe speak in favor of this. But ...
1
vote
1
answer
233
views
Can a Jew follow another religion's dietary laws?
Suppose another religion has dietary laws that overlap with those of Judaism. For example, Zoroastrianism prohibits eating all land animals and prohibits eating various kinds of fish and other sea ...
6
votes
1
answer
287
views
Death penalty for non-Jews
Murder in the Torah is punished by the death penalty, but with many conditions.
Were the rules of death penalty the same for Jews and non-Jews living in the holy land?
What were the differences?
...
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Tikkun for sex with a non jew?
The arizal says that it is a big sin to have sex with a non jew. If someone had sex with one how can he repent for that?
6
votes
1
answer
635
views
Bris for non-Jewish boy whose parents are converting
If in the process of conversion, a couple has a baby boy, what is done regarding the bris? They have not yet fully converted, but are in the process, with a Rabbi and regularly attending synagogue ...
2
votes
2
answers
102
views
Why should other nations praise G-d because of His mercy towards us?
The shortest chapter in the book of Psalms is one we recite as part of our prayers on holidays and the New Moon:
Psalms 117:1-2 (translation from Sefaria):
הַֽלְל֣וּ אֶת־יְ֭הוָה כָּל־גּוֹיִ֑ם ...
3
votes
0
answers
25
views
In Israel, can one eat Chametz brought in by a Gentile this Shabbat? [duplicate]
This Shabbat, in Israel, will follow after the end of Pesach. Since it is not Pesach, Israelis are allowed to eat chametz. However, since their own chametz has not been bought back, they cannot eat ...
2
votes
0
answers
195
views
Is a non-Jew who was Sandek in non-Orthodox brit allowed to be sandek again after conversion?
A few articles like here speak of a custom amongst non-religious groups allowing non-Jews, women, and otherwise to be sandek despite halacha or minhag. It happens whether unfortunate or not. But if '...
5
votes
2
answers
879
views
Accepting charity from a non-Jew
If a person sends out a group email to solicit funds to help needy families and inadvertently includes non-Jews on the email - Is it permitted to use the funds that the non-Jews donate towards helping ...
9
votes
2
answers
298
views
What happens if Chametz was sold to a 'Gentile' who was later found out to actually be Jewish?
Let's say the congregational rabbi, acting as the agent for about 200 congregants sells the chametz to a Gentile before Pesach begins.
During Hol Hamo'ed, someone tells the Gentile, "You know, ...
5
votes
2
answers
337
views
German and Ethiopian Jews in the time of the Mishna?
According to Negaim 3:1, the laws of negaim only apply to Jews (הכל מטּמאין בנגעים חוץ מגוים), but according to Negaim 2:1 they apply to people from Germany (גרמני) and Ethiopia (or Numibia, etc; ״כוש״...
4
votes
4
answers
512
views
According to Judaism, how is God's promise to bless all nations through Abraham fulfilled?
I am a Christian and a gentile. Could you please help me understand how the promise of God that appears in Genesis 12:3 to bless non-Jews is viewed both currently and historically in Jewish circles.
...
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can someone trying to convert have mezuzahs on his doorposts?
When one is going through an orthodox conversion, one is asked to keep all the mitzvoth with the exception of fully keeping the shabbos and putting Tefillin.
I was wondering if this exception also ...