Relations with non-Jews, and laws regarding them.
5
votes
2answers
45 views
Can Gentile light a Shabbat Candle and do the Prayers?
I am a gentile, however I am seriously considering to convert.
I would like to do some of the Shabbat traditions just to get a feel of the celebration (can you call it that?) like light the candle and ...
2
votes
2answers
238 views
Attending a relative's non-Jewish wedding in a non-Jewish place of worship?
Could somebody attend his non-Jewish relatives' wedding ceremony if they are held, let's say, in a church or a Buddhist temple?
4
votes
2answers
55 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.
11
votes
8answers
1k views
If Christianity is avodah zarah and Islam is not, why has the Christian world triumphed over the non-Christian, and why do Jews prefer to live among Christians and not Muslims?
The Rambam quite clearly considered Christianity to be avodah zarah. He did not feel the same way about Islam, however, going so far as to condone praying within a mosque, and many Orthodox Jewish ...
8
votes
1answer
376 views
Daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man
Is a Kohen allowed to marry a woman who is the daughter of a Jewish woman and non-Jewish man?
2
votes
1answer
75 views
Do non-jews have soul mates?
We know that Jews have soul mates: people whom they are destined to marry.
Do non-Jews have people they are destined to marry?
6
votes
4answers
382 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
114 views
Milk and 'Ever Min HaḤai
This article at the end mentions a famous Halachic distinction made between the prohibition of 'Ever Min HaḤai as it pertains to Jews vs gentiles. For gentiles 'Ever Min HaḤai doesn't apply to milk, ...
-1
votes
1answer
87 views
How does Halacha view someone who converts to Islam? [duplicate]
What is the halachic status of the person who converts to Islam, does he remain a Jew in spite of conversion? I am specifically asking the Muslim case since they don't deny the Torah and believe it to ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
one who says something in the name of the person who originally said it
The Sages (Avos 6:6) teach: ha'omer davar b'shem omro ("one who says something in the name of the person who originally said it"). We have learned that one who says something in the name of the one ...
4
votes
1answer
155 views
Aleinu L'Shabeach - Nusach HaTefila
The words "Sheheim Mishtachavim Li-Hevel Voryk Umispallelim El Eil Lo-Yoshiya" - Was this originally part of Aleinu and then removed, or was it added later to Aleinu? Why was this done?
3
votes
2answers
733 views
Can a gentile go to Synagogue on Shabbat and what is forbidden on Shabbat for a gentile?
Is a gentile allowed to participate in Shabbat prayers in a Synagogue (of course he/she will not count for a minyan) if they do so in order to gain knowledge of Jewish customs for the purpose of ...
1
vote
0answers
39 views
Can a Jew cut a non-Jew's nails consecutively?
Can a Jew cut a non-Jew's nails consecutively? This would relate to a profession in which one trims nails such as podiatry, nursing, pedicurist etc.
7
votes
5answers
254 views
Have there ever been inter-faith debates between Jews and Muslims?
There are records of many inter-faith debates (disputations) between Jews and Christians even up to modern times. However I have never heard of similar such debates between Jews and Muslims. Are there ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
Amira Lakum: say you can't say?
One is not allowed to tell a non-Jew to do a melacha on shabbas, but one can hint and say "it is cold in here", hoping he will realize and shut the air conditioner.
Is one allowed to explain to the ...
-1
votes
0answers
37 views
Can a gentile celebrate the holidays like Rosh Hashanah or Pesshach with jews?
we have gentile friends that would like to celebrate the Chagim with us.
Can they do it? Also on Yom Kippur?
6
votes
2answers
257 views
Shituf and Avodah Zara
While the various opinions about shituf have been discussed already.
Somewhat recently, however, I heard a Rav speak on the topic who seemed to take it for granted that shituf was only permitted when ...
16
votes
6answers
622 views
First steps for someone considering conversion
I am 25 years old and I am truly interested in converting. I too also only believe in G-d. I live my life to certain rules that others I see aren't strong enough to live by. I want to know what I ...
3
votes
0answers
30 views
Structure and relevance of Sefer Yeshaya
Was Yeshaya included in Tenach as all of it is relevant for all time? If so, what is the relevance of chapter 13-22 for example. Is there any evidence that his prophecies to the other nations ...
7
votes
4answers
297 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 ...
2
votes
0answers
50 views
What God must gentiles believe in?
In the Rambam's Mishne Tora, the end of chapter 8 of M'lachim reads:
Any [gentile] who accepts seven commands and is careful to fulfill them is among the pious of the nations of the world and has ...
4
votes
2answers
146 views
Sitting shiva for non-Jewish relatives?
Should one sit shiva for a non-Jewish relative? Say your mother is Jewish and your father is not, and he dies.
2
votes
0answers
79 views
Have the empires of old perished?
I remember being taught when I was younger that the fact that Jews are around is a testimony to the eternity of our religion; that we survived them all and that they are no longer.
I am unaware ...
1
vote
1answer
149 views
What is a non-Jew's purpose in life?
What does a non-Jew have to do in life? Why did God create non-Jews?
A Jews purpose in life is to learn Torah and do Mitzvos. What should a non-jew be spending his time doing?
22
votes
6answers
2k views
Does the Torah discuss aliens?
Does the Torah discuss extra-terrestrial life and/or civilizations?
Do any Torah sources exist which discuss what these hypothetical beings would be like and their status/nature? (eg. Would they be ...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Apostate Jew performing mitzvahs
It has been discussed many times on this site that a non-Jew may not observe Shabbat (in addition to various other mitzvot that are prohibited to non-Jews). We have also seen that a Jew who renounces ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
If a non-jew steals is he liable to the death penalty?
Stealing is a Noahide commandment. If a non-jew violates a Noahide commandment he is obligated to die. That means if he steals a penny or something he's obligated to death?
20
votes
2answers
354 views
Can a gentile break shabbos only on a Rabbinic level?
A non-Jew is forbidden from observing Shabbos. When someone is in the process of converting, we advise them to keep the entire Shabbos besides for doing one forbidden activity. A common practice is to ...
9
votes
5answers
431 views
Sources For Listening To/Not Listening to Non-Jewish Music
What are sources for it being allowed to listen to non-Jewish music and sources for it being prohibited?
1
vote
0answers
43 views
Stopping gentile from doing borer on Shabbos
Consider the following situation.
A shul makes a large Kiddush every Shabbos morning after Davening. They have many food items that need to be prepared and set up for the Kiddush however the ...
5
votes
1answer
63 views
May one say kaddish for a non-Jew?
I have read that Jews recited kaddish on behalf of Abraham Lincoln after he was assassinated. What is the halachic basis for this and has kaddish ever been said en-masse on behalf of other non-Jews?
11
votes
2answers
308 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 "Hebrew" when it makes ...
4
votes
1answer
59 views
Is idolatrous belief forbidden for gentiles, or is it just practice?
Suppose a non-Jew believes that there are multiple gods, but he does not worship them in any way. Is this a violation of the prohibition against idolatry for gentiles?
4
votes
1answer
65 views
Is a non-Jew reliable for Sha'atnez?
Suppose someone is fabulously wealthy, and they have their own personal tailor who is not Jewish. May this tailor be relied upon not to make anything which contains Sha'atnez? May this tailor be ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Stitches on Shabbos
If someone cut their finger (lo aleinu!) on Shabbos in a way that wasn't going to threaten them however is a fairly deep cut may they get stitches put in by a non-Jew on Shabbos? Theoretically they ...
1
vote
0answers
106 views
Is wine touched/shaken by a non-idolatrous Gentile child forbidden to drink?
Shulchan Aruch (YD 124:1) states:
A Nochri child who does not mention idolatry or Meshamshim, if he
touched wine he forbids only drinking it, but not benefit from it.
(See this related ...
6
votes
0answers
69 views
What is the significance of the skull of Araunah the Yevusi?
Araunah the Yevusi sells the land upon which the beis hamikdash will eventually be built to Dovid HaMelech (II Shemuel 24:18). Subsequently his skull is found underneath the mizbeach at least twice ...
12
votes
3answers
932 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?
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Selling to a gentile on Yom Tov — Same by a Jew?
It says in SA OC Siman 497 Sif 17 that one may sell to a gentile on Yom Tov a treif animal (i.e. after this animal was slaughtered on Yom Tov permissibly it was found to be treif, non-kosher). The SA ...
4
votes
2answers
80 views
Selling Chometz to a young gentile
May the sell of chometz be done with a young gentile that in Judaism would be considered a "katan" in terms of halacha and therefore perhaps wouldn't be able to have his buying and selling be "valid" ...
3
votes
1answer
63 views
May one sell challah to a gentile?
Consider the following scenario.
A person left his home in Eretz Yisrael to go to Chutz L'Aretz for Pesach. He remembered before the zman issur in Chutz L'Aretz that there was a piece of challah ...
2
votes
3answers
225 views
Did Chazal know about China and the Chinese? and from which of Noach's sons do they hail?
The silk road from the Far East to Asia probably operated from about 200 B.C.E although it was not a direct trading route but worked in stages; so there was no direct contact from say China to ...
15
votes
5answers
1k views
Why is Judaism not Racism?
I am only asking this question to educate myself, not because I am anti-semitic or for any other hidden agenda. I do not what to turn this forum into an ugly place. I realize this question is ...
5
votes
1answer
261 views
Is it appropriate for a Gentile to attend and/or participate in a Seder?
The context: last year, I saw this sign that announced the time and place that a Jewish Seder (probably Yom Kippur) would happen. I was definitely curious and considered going and at least observing ...
11
votes
1answer
228 views
Origin of the term Yoshke?
I have often heard Jews refer to Jesus as "Yoshke". Is the origin of that appellation based on halachic issues regarding mentioning names of foreign deities, or some other Jewish law or custom? When ...
0
votes
1answer
145 views
Who is a Jew according the Tanach?
Does the Tanach give guidelines to Identify who is a Jew and who is not?
-5
votes
1answer
164 views
Would Muslims be recognized as Karaite Jews by Kariate Judaism [closed]
I was reading this article ON Karaite jews about "Who is a Jew" it says:
However, anyone who formally accepts the God of Israel as his own god,
the people of Israel as his own people, and is ...
-6
votes
2answers
254 views
How is it possible for Muslims to be classified as Gentiles even if they Don't deem Torah to be corrupt and have Abrahimic Lineage?
Muslims don't believe Torah to be corrupt nor do they deny the Torah and it is considered in the six articles of faith to believe in all revealed scriptures like Torah, Psalms etc . Also Muslim share ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Not interlacing fingers in prayer
I have heard from an unauthoritative source that one should not interlace his fingers while praying, because, l'havdil, Christians do. Is there any authoritative source for the claim that it's ...
-2
votes
1answer
102 views
How did foreign biblical people became the followers of their respective prophets [closed]
How did the foreign people enter the fold of believers in biblical times of Moses and prior.
One scenario to better understand this question:
In biblical times, A foreign person would have entered ...
