Questions tagged [gentiles]
Relations with non-Jews, and laws regarding them.
1,060
questions
17
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Mikvah - Non Jewish Husband
Can a woman use a Mikvah if her Husband is not Jewish (She is currently on the road to becoming a BT)
16
votes
3
answers
8k
views
What should I be aware of when using the term "Jew"?
As a gentile who finds himself writing about Judaism in the ancient world, I've found myself reluctant to use the word "Jew". I tend to use phrases like "Jewish people" and "...
16
votes
5
answers
532
views
Why do we still use the non-Jewish way of delineating chapters in tanach?
The "perakim" (chapters) of tanach were established by non-Jews. Why do we continue to use them? Many of the chapter breaks do not correspond to our petucha/setumah paragraph system, and they often ...
16
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Why is meat only kosher if a Jew slaughters the animal?
According to this answer in the question "What is kosher meat?" it is said that a Jew has to slaughter an animal in order for its meat to become kosher:
This is done by Jews who are experts trained ...
16
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is hamsa allowed?
Does the Halacha allow the use of a hamsa as a good luck charm, considering that it originated as a Muslim symbol?
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Can a Christian "Grace" invalidate food?
Suppose there's a communal meal in a secular workplace, at which some of the food is reliably kosher. Now suppose that right before anyone takes any food, one of the participants, to general assent, ...
16
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Mi Yodeya and Teaching Non-Jews
There is an established halachic principle that we do not explicitly teach Torah to non-Jews. Though the exact parameters of this law is debated, the principle issur itself isn't.
According to some ...
15
votes
10
answers
6k
views
Does God love non-Jews?
I've read the topic of whether or not God discriminates between Jews and non-Jews, but does God love non-Jews? Does it say anywhere that He does love non-Jews. I don't believe that God hates non-Jews ...
15
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can a Gentile theist be saved?
I belong to a Christian family but I could never accept the fact that God can incarnate as a human. But I do not follow all 613 commandments either. I guess nobody can. I only follow Noahide ...
15
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Being a light to the nations - what does it mean?
I'm working on this as my project for a yeshiva program, and I'd like some input
What does the concept actually mean? It's only mentioned briefly in most of our scripture and commentary.
Are there ...
15
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Why do we say that Hashem chose us if He offered to the Torah to all the other nations first?
According to Midrash Sifri (Deuteronomy 343), Hashem first went around to all the nations and offered them the Torah before offering it to Bnei Yisroel. So why do we say in Kiddush and Birchas ...
15
votes
1
answer
16k
views
First trip to the synagogue! Tips and advice please!
I am preparing for my first trip to a synagogue after the High Holy Days.
My first visit will be to a Modern Orthodox Synagogue. I have interacted with the Rabbi by email and we will be meeting ...
15
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Teshuva and non-Jews?
The Rambam explains the basic requirements of doing teshuva and seeking forgiveness from another person: acknowledging the transgression, making amends, and seeking forgiveness (presumably publicly ...
15
votes
3
answers
730
views
How should a Jew deal with Anti Semitism?
Is there an standard way for a Jew to deal with the threat of hatred, particularly that which stems from a public forum such as a hate group? Do I:
Simply ignore it
Write to my local council/state ...
14
votes
3
answers
4k
views
How does someone not know they're Jewish?
In this answer, someone said they got offended when people wore crosses, especially if they didn't know they were Jewish. I'm just wondering how someone can not know what religion they follow?
14
votes
2
answers
5k
views
What makes something "chukat goyim?"
One of the most famous examples I have heard is that one should not even tie one's shoes like the non-Jews do in times of persecution. That seems rather excessive. What if the Jews started doing some ...
14
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Was Judaism ever a proselytizing religion?
It is often asserted that up until the time of Constantine or so, Judaism was an actively proselytizing religion. This can be contrasted with the common practice today of rejecting potential converts ...
14
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Gentile living with a Jewish flatmate
I've been talking with someone about possibly moving in to a room in her house later in the year. Her kitchen is kosher and her house is shomer Shabbos, but since I'm used to spending Shabbos in ...
14
votes
2
answers
804
views
Would Harry Potter be killed as a sorcerer?
Before asking my question, I'd like to make it clear that this is being asked in all seriousness, and not as some form of satire or "Purim Torah". I think there is a precedent for asking halachic ...
14
votes
2
answers
770
views
Why did Avraham prefer the daughters of Aner, Eshkol and Mamre over Eliezer's daughter?
Rashi on Bereishis 24:39 says that
Abraham said to [Eliezer] “My son is blessed, and you are cursed [Eliezer was a descendant of Canaan who had been cursed by Noah], and an accursed one cannot ...
14
votes
3
answers
7k
views
Why shouldn't Gentiles keep Shabbat?
I know little about Judaism and it's a first time question, so please forgive any mistakes.
According to this question non-Jews are forbidden from keeping Shabbat. What is the reasoning behind this? ...
14
votes
1
answer
257
views
Can non-Jews utilize the princple of bittul berov?
The concept of bittul berov means that in certain cases, if some non-kosher food gets mixed up in as much kosher food of the same type such that nobody knows which piece is the non-kosher part, the ...
14
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is it inappropriate to say Baruch Dayan Haemes on a Ben Noach? Why or why not?
Is it inappropriate to say Baruch Dayan Haemes on a Ben Noach? What about someone who may have been an oved avoda zarah? Someone who is definitely such?
I'm asking because I've seen such discussion ...
14
votes
2
answers
587
views
Does one make a Bracha when seeing the Pope?
Is he considered either a king or a great non-Jewish scholar?
14
votes
1
answer
635
views
Half Jew half Gentile
I always thought it was a misconception to be "half-Jewish". Usually the speaker means one of their parents are Jewish, making them either fully Jewish or fully Gentile.
However, I saw today that the ...
14
votes
1
answer
324
views
Is the obligation for Gentiles to establish a system of courts communal or individual?
One of the seven laws of Noah for gentiles is to set up a system of courts.
Is the obligation to set up a system of courts a communal obligation on Gentile communities, or does every single Gentile ...
13
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Is Halal Meat Kosher?
Muslims slaughter a Cow by saying "Bismillah, Allahu Akbar" meaning : "In the name of Allah , Allah is Great"" and follow the Zabiha (shechita) procedure to make it Halal.
Some salient point of the ...
13
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Non-Jews and kosher wine
As a non-Jew, undergoing the conversion process, I am very careful regarding the Torah, rabbinic, and cultural laws. However, some times it seems to me that some laws are not compatible for converts.
...
13
votes
5
answers
11k
views
From where do we know that sexual intercourse with a non-jewish woman is forbidden?
From where do we know that a jewish man cannot have sexuel intercourse with a non-jewish woman? What say the Kabbala about this ? Is it related to dark forces, "qelipoth"?
13
votes
4
answers
2k
views
what are the limits of "mesira"?
It seems that most people have an idea that you cannot report a Jew to the non-Jewish authorities (police, government, etc) except for extreme circumstances (imminent danger, abuse, etc). However, ...
13
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Can a Kohen Marry a Woman with a Non-Jewish Father?
Is a Kohen allowed to marry a woman who is the daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man?
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Did Kozbi deserve to die?
In the end of Parshas Balak (Bamidbar 25:8), Pinchas kills an Israelite who was cohabiting with a Midianite woman in front of the Jewish people.
I understand that the Israelite deserved to be killed ...
13
votes
4
answers
1k
views
December greeting responses [closed]
How do you respond when greeted, during the Winter "holiday season" by a non-Jewish acquaintance with each of the following?
Happy Chanuka (in proximity to Chanuka)
Happy Chanuka (not in proximity to ...
13
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why Do Converts Change Their Names?
Rabbi Avigdor Miller said that it used to be that gerim (converts) and baalei teshuvah (repentants) who had been given non-Jewish names did not change their names when they became part of the Jewish ...
13
votes
2
answers
490
views
Publicly Teaching Halacha
I was looking at the Daily Halachah Yahoo group and was a little bit surprised at this statement:
It is therefore forbidden for Jews to teach non-Jews Halachah
Is this true?
(See a related ...
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Non-Jew's marriage obligation
Does a non-Jew have an obligation to get married like the Jew does?
13
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Exactly how much of the "Curse of Ham" concept is Jewish Idea
Canaan, son of Ham was cursed by Noah to be "a servant of servants"
I encountered a Jew who believed that this curse (and not poverty, racism, or anything else) is the cause of Africans' lowliness. I ...
13
votes
1
answer
241
views
Was Og responsible to follow the commandments for B'nei Noach?
The Midrash relates that Og, later to become King of Bashan, survived the flood in the generation of Noach (Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer, 23). Was he responsible for following the seven commandments despite ...
13
votes
2
answers
966
views
Are sex change operations prohibited for non-Jews?
In very specific situations some halachic decisors have permitted sex change operations, such as for infants born with some types of genital anomalies. However, the consensus seems to be that they ...
13
votes
1
answer
550
views
Loshon Hara against public Jewish and non-Jewish figures
Both American and Israeli politics, and of course those of other democracies, can include a lot of personal attacks, both true and untrue, including innuendo about possible adultery, gay or straight, ...
13
votes
1
answer
348
views
What are acceptable communities for a noachide to integrate himself into?
This is more of a personal question, but undoubtedly applicable for anyone in my situation.
I am a Noachide, and I will not convert to Judaism any time soon because the obligation upon men is way ...
13
votes
1
answer
720
views
Are the seventy distinct languages and nations listed?
It's a well known concept that there were 70 nations and 70 original languages. Is there any agreement about which ones they were/are? I found this which lists the nations, but I'm interested in ...
12
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to tell someone about Shomer Negiah
As I'm sure that many of you have had to "break it" to a coworker or friend that you're Shomer Negiah, have you found a strategy or choice of words that seems most effective? As I wasn't raised frum ...
12
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Why does the Torah forbid interest only on loans to Jews?
Why aren't we allowed to charge a Jew interest but we're allowed to charge a non-Jew?
12
votes
6
answers
4k
views
Why do we say Shelo Asani Goy?
In Birchas HaShachar we thank God for not making us gentiles by saying "shelo asni goi". Why do we use the negative formation instead of thanking God for making us Jews by saying "she-asani Yehudi" ...
12
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Drinking cold kosher beverages in a non-Jewish relative's house
Let's say you're staying at a non-Jewish relative's house. He bought you kosher food because he knows you keep kosher. He buys you a drink such as milk. You see him pour the drink for himself into his ...
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
May a man wear a wedding band?
Is there any halachic reason that a man may not wear a wedding band (ring)? Possible reasons to forbid it would include beged isha and chukas hagoyim.
12
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Can a Mezuzah be given to a respectable and trustworthy non-Jew?
Would it be permissible to give a Mezuzah to a non-Jew if he is honorable and can reasonably be trusted to treat it with great care such as a dignitary or a collector of cultural artifacts?
12
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Can a gentile pray in a synagogue?
I am an 18 year old male interested in converting to Judaism, I have been reading the Tanakh amongst other things and have been learning more about the religion. My question pertains as to whether or ...
12
votes
3
answers
894
views
Is it permissible for a Gentile to utter Hashem's Name?
I have seen a lot of mention about "Hashem's Name" on this website.
I would like to know:
Is it permissible for a Jew to tell a Gentile what Hashem's Name really is--what I am asking is, say, a ...