Talmud on gentiles

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A complete set of the Babylonian Talmud.

The Babylonian Talmud is the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and the primary source of Jewish religious law and Jewish theology. It contains the teachings and disputes in opinion between rabbis on a wide variety of subjects.

The term "gentile", in this context, means "non-Jew". It is always important to read the entire section of the Talmud before forming an opinion.

Quotes[edit]

Noahide laws[edit]

"The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot." (Sanhedrin 56a:24)
  • תנו רבנן שבע מצות נצטוו בני נח דינין וברכת השם ע״ז גילוי עריות ושפיכות דמים וגזל ואבר מן החי
    • Sanhedrin 56a:24
    • Translation:
      • The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot: The mitzva of establishing courts of judgment; and the prohibition against blessing, i.e., cursing, the name of God; and the prohibition of idol worship; and the prohibition against forbidden sexual relations; and the prohibition of bloodshed; and the prohibition of robbery; and the prohibition against eating a limb from a living animal.
    • Comments:
      • These seven laws are referred to as the Noahide Laws. They are considered to be binding on all of humanity (i.e., all the descendants of Noah).

Torah study[edit]

  • ר"מ אומר מניין שאפילו עובד כוכבים ועוסק בתורה שהוא ככהן גדול שנאמר (ויקרא יח, ה) אשר יעשה אותם האדם וחי בהם כהנים לוים וישראלים לא נאמר אלא האדם הא למדת שאפילו עובד כוכבים ועוסק בתורה הרי הוא ככהן גדול
    • Sanhedrin 59a:4
    • Translation:
      • Rabbi Meir would say: From where is it derived that even a gentile who engages in Torah study is considered like a High Priest? It is derived from that which is stated: "You shall therefore keep My statutes and My ordinances, which if a man does he shall live by them" (Leviticus 18:5). The phrase: Which if priests, Levites, and Israelites do they shall live by them, is not stated, but rather: "A man," which indicates mankind in general. You have therefore learned that even a gentile who engages in Torah study is considered like a High Priest.
  • התם בשבע מצות דידהו׃
    • Sanhedrin 59a:5
    • Translation:
      • The Gemara answers: There, in the baraita, the reference is to a gentile who engages in the study of their seven mitzvot. It is a mitzva for a gentile to study the halakhot that pertain to the seven Noahide mitzvot, and when he does so he is highly regarded.
    • Comments:
      • Sanhedrin 59a:2–4 contains a discussion arguing for and against the proposition that gentiles are permitted to study the Torah. The discussion ends on a positive note, namely, that a gentile who studies the Torah is highly regarded.

Quotes about the Talmud[edit]

  • Judaic sources, including from Tanach and the Talmud, speak of the Messianic Era in which Gentiles will serve the Jewish People. … When the Messiah shall come, the Gentiles will recognize and embrace their task in this world. They will ensure that God can have his special relationship with His Chosen Nation, perhaps by prioritizing Jewish community services or the like.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

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