Rest and Holiday for Gentiles

Question

I often read that Gentiles are not to keep the Sabbath or institute any holidays for themselves. How far does it go? Rest from our work activity without refraining from doing extra activities? If I decide that on Sunday I will do nothing since it is a day where virtually nothing can be done in the western world would I be instituting a holiday for myself for not having done anything creative or that requires activity like cleaning the house? Would having meals already break this possibility? If that's the case then it's impossible for Gentiles to establish a holiday for themselves since it's practically impossible to do nothing all day unless they copy the Jews am I right? Can the existence of Sunday as it is today be classified as an established holiday when it is basically a social convention that came into being on its own without the countries instituting it as a holiday? Are all gentile holidays disobedience? Or just those who demand a similar way that Jews practice on the Sabbath that does not exist? In this case, would Adventists be the ones who go head-on against this norm?

Answer 1

I believe there are 3 relevant, interconnected principles involved here:

1. Do not create a new religion¹
2. Do not add to the commandments¹
3. Non-Jews may not rest on Shabbat²

If a Noachide wishes to rest from occupational work/weekday activities, or keep a secular holiday or a holiday that is designated to honour the One True God (such as thanksgiving or a national prayer day; secular examples are mothers day/fathers day or independence day), it must be done in a way that does not violate any of the above. In The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner (approved by Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar), he explains that one can set up a day of rest from work, as well as acknowledge and join in with some of the rituals of a Jewish holiday - especially the ones that are relevant to non-Jews like Rosh Hashana or Sukkot.

When it comes to Jewish rituals, each must be taken in its own analysis. Based on here, he may sit in a Sukkah on Sukkot if it is hot that day, and eat matza on Pesach if he enjoys matza... all so long as he is not intending to fulfil the Yom Tov as part of the Jewish Mitzva, or set up a new "mitzva"/yom tov i.e. purely for his own satisfaction. He can wear nicer clothes on Shabbat, prepare a special meal and even light candles (to beautify the meal), even he does so in honour of Shabbat because he wishes to glorify and publicise Hashem.

As this matter is serious, complicated and subtle, I implore any Noahide reading this to follow the rules of the site and CLYOR for how to personally conduct themselves regarding this topic. This answer is grossly insufficient to form the basis for personal practice!

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^{1 - both of these are mentioned in הלכות מלכים ומלחמות פרק י׃ט, see there for sources and discussion.
2 - See Sanhedrin 58B}

Answer 2

See Sanhedrin 58B where it discusses the fact that Non-Jews can't keep a sabbath (any day of the week).

Rashi d"h עובד כוכבי׳ ששבת there Rashi says one must not do מלאכה for one full day. Likely evening and morning which non-Jews don't do anyway. However Ravina points out according to Rashi any day made for resting (including non-creative work) is prohibited.

I would be curious if this point of Rashi to not allow any rest from Melacha, is similarly for a night and day (a Jewish day), which does not apply to a non-Jewish day which is from sunrise to sunset. If true there wouldn't be a violation of this specific prohibition for non-Jewish holidays. This would require much more research.

According to the Rambam Hilchos Melachim (10:9) it appears to be prohibited because it is like making a new religion.

According to the Meiri שם the Jewish holidays were given to the Jewish people and so someone who keeps them is liable to be punished, since he will look like a Jew and confuse others. I don't have a Meiri to check inside but this might imply clearly non-Jewish holidays are not at odds here.

Rav Moshe (YD 2 Siman 7) does point out that making a new religion is in itself an issue.

The Malbim states the issue seems to be that since Noach work must be done on the earth for it to provide food and only the Jews were given a break for the Sabbath, this would not be allowed for Non-Jews who are still under the conditions of work that Noah had to do. https://hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=6686&pgnum=400