What is the difference between gerim, nochrim and zarim? Both halachicly and denotatively.
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1Please edit in the context in which you see these terms and want them explained, as well as a bit more about what you mean by "halachicly and denotatively."– Isaac Moses ♦Commented Oct 16, 2013 at 14:25
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ohr.edu/this_week/whats_in_a_word/9346– Reb Chaim HaQotonCommented Jul 1, 2022 at 10:36
1 Answer
It depends on context, but in general there are two types of Gerim:
1) A Ger Tzedek (Righteous convert). That is a convert in the traditional sense.
2) A Ger Toshev (Dwelling convert). That category doesn't formally exist today, but the concept of it is a non-Jew who accepts the Seven Mitzvos of Noach. They have permission to live in Israel.
Typical usage of the word "Ger" denotes the former.
A Nochri would be a non-Jew. In some contexts it may seek to distinguish between a Ger Toshev and otherwise, but it means a foreigner.
A Zar (stranger) almost always means the term for a Jew who is not a Cohen.