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Also See: I’m Not A Ger
When speaking about Noahide Law with either Jews or Noahides, sometimes a person who is either misinformed or even willingly trying to deceive you will proclaim that there is no reason to worry about Noahide Law since according to Jewish theology, no “Ger Toshav” can be accepted at this time, and sometimes they will purposely conflate the word "Ger Toshav" with "Noahide" to confuse you; learn about Kol Nidre (here), the Jewish doctrine of deception. According to Jewish Law, a “Ger Toshav” can only be accepted during a time when the nation of Israel has instated a holiday called the Jubilee, and the modern nation of Israel has not done this because in order to do so they need an official court body called the Great Sanhedrin, which they don't; however this does not mean Israel is a secular state (here). However, this logic is deceptive, since the speaker is either accidentally or intentionally conflating a “Noahide” with a “Ger Toshav”, they are not the same thing! A Ger Toshav is a Noahide who lives within the border of Israel which is a specific legal status, yet Noahides who live outside the land of Israel are always commanded to uphold the Noahide Laws and there is no need for a Great Sanhedrin to direct this; still, the Zionist state of Israel has found it in their interest to subvert their own religious laws and legally declare a Ger Toshav in Israel anyway for religious-legal purposes (here). Don't fall for the Ger Toshav argument, it is not only inaccurate but also deceptively designed to lower the guard of non-Jews by implying Jewish Noahide Law is not yet actionable, it is!
GER TOSHAV ARE NOAHIDES WHO LIVE IN ISRAEL
According to Jewish Law, all people of the earth are commanded to follow The Seven Noahide Laws, and anyone who does so is given the title “pious among the nations”, or modernly a “Noahide”. However, there is a special class of Noahides called “Ger Toshav”. Noahides who live within the borders of Israel are known as “Ger Toshav”, the distinction describes their location. Full converts to Judaism within the land of Palestine/Israel are known as “ger ha-ẓedeḳ”.
The “Ger.”- Term employed generally, though not exclusively, in the Septuagint as a rendering for the Hebrew word “ger,” designating a convert from one religion to another. The original meaning of the Hebrew is involved in some doubt. Modern interpreters hold it to have connoted, at first, a stranger (or a “client,” in the technical sense of the word) residing in Palestine, who had put himself under the protection of the people (or of one of them) among whom he had taken up his abode. In later, post-exilic usage it denotes a convert to the Jewish religion. In the Septuagint and the New Testament the Greek equivalent has almost invariably the latter signification (but see Geiger, “Urschrift,” pp. 353 et seq.), though in the Septuagint the word implies also residence in Palestine on the part of one who had previously resided elsewhere, an implication entirely lost both in the Talmudical “ger” and in the New Testament προσέλύτος…
…In order to find a precedent the Rabbis went so far as to assume that proselytes of this order were recognized in Biblical law, applying to them the term “toshab” (“sojourner,” “aborigine,” referring to the Canaanites; see Maimonides’ explanation in “Yad,” Issure Biah, xiv. 7; see Grätz, l.c. p. 15), in connection with “ger” (see Ex. xxv. 47, where the better reading would be “we-toshab”). Another name for one of this class was “proselyte of the gate” (“ger ha-sha’ar,” that is, one under Jewish civil jurisdiction; comp. Deut. v. 14, xiv. 21, referring to the stranger who had legal claims upon the generosity and protection of his Jewish neighbors). In order to be recognized as one of these the neophyte had publicly to assume, before three “ḥaberim,” or men of authority, the solemn obligation not to worship idols, an obligation which involved the recognition of the seven Noachian injunctions as binding (‘Ab. Zarah 64b; “Yad,” Issure Biah, xiv. 7)…
…In contradistinction to the ger toshab, the full proselyte was designated as “ger ha-ẓedeḳ,” “ger ha-berit” (a sincere and righteous proselyte, one who has submitted to circumcision; see Mek., Mishpaṭim, 18; Gerim iii.).
GER TOSHAV ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME
It is true that according to Jewish Law until the state of Israel institutes the Jubilee holiday, there can be no acceptance of “Ger Toshav” at this time. But “Ger Toshav” is only a special legal status of Noahide, one who officially lives within Israel. However, this ruling against accepting “Ger Toshav” does not negate the general command for all non-Jews to follow and enact Noahide Law by setting up Noahide courts.
The recognition of these quasi-proselytes rendered it obligatory upon the Jews to treat them as brothers (see ‘Ab. Zarah 65a; Pes. 21a). But by the third century the steady growth of Christianity had caused these qualified conversions to Judaism to be regarded with increasing disfavor. According to Simeon b. Eleazar, this form of adoption into Judaism was valid only when the institution of the jubilee also was observed, that is, according to the common understanding of his dictum, during the national existence of Israel (‘Ar. 29a). A similar observation of Maimonides (“Yad,” Issure Biah, xiv. 7-8; ib. ‘Akkum, x. 6) is construed in the same sense. It seems more probable that Maimonides and Simeon ben Eleazar wished to convey the idea that, for their day, the institution of the ger toshab was without practical warrant in the Torah. R. Johanan declares that if after a probation of twelve months the ger toshab did not submit to the rite of circumcision, he was to be regarded as a heathen (‘Ab. Zarah 65a; the same period of probation is fixed by Ḥanina bar Ḥama in Yer. Yeb. 8d).
– Proselyte, 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia, Retrieved From http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12391-proselyte
THE CHIEF RABBINATE ACCEPTS A GER TOSHAV
While it may not be officially recognized under religious law, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has initiated a civil recognition of Ger Toshav in the land of modern Israel to facilitate land ownership for Noahide Converts within the nation. Again, while this is not religiously binding, it does carry civil legal authority which still makes the status legally actionable in the modern world.
Chief Rabbinate Recognizes a Ger Toshav
Posted by: Rabbi Oury Cherki September 23, 2014
Rav Oury Cherki comments on the recognition of a “Ger Toshav” by the Chief Rabbinate: For the very first time in 2,500 years, a man was pronounced a “Ger Toshav” – a resident alien – by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. A Ger Toshav is a non-Jew who lives among the people of Israel in its Land, accepts the Torah, loves Israel, and observes the seven mitzvot of Bnei Noach. For reasons connected to the Shemitta year, the Chief Rabbinate has taken an innovative step of accepting a Ben Noach who lives in Israel as a Ger Toshav. This can be seen as a symbolic act showing that the nation of Israel has a truly universal mission, to be officially and openly involved with humanity as a whole and not to be restricted to its own narrow interests.
- Noahide World Center, "Chief Rabbinate Recognizes a Ger Toshav", Retrieved From http://noahideworldcenter.org/wp_en/?p=1820
CLARIFICATION ON THE LEGAL STATUS OF “GER TOSHAV”
According to reports, while this status of “Ger Toshav” carries some legal weight in the land of Israel, allowing the said “Ger Toshav” to purchase lands within the state, it is not religiously binding. Again, however, this does not change the fact that Jewish Noahide Law applies to all peoples at all times outside the land of Israel, there is no restriction on implementing global Jewish Noahide Law in general and the Zionist state of Israel has put its civil legal weight behind the Ger Toshav legality regardless.
There was an article posted recently on the news regarding a non-Jew in Israel being given a status of Ger Toshav by the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
You can see the original article HERE though it is all in Hebrew. Here is a rough translation of the article via google translate:
“After 2,500 years: Chief awarded the status of “resident stranger”
The court, headed by Chief Rabbi David Lau gave the class George Streichman, native Ukraine, he sold land in the country in the “allowance”. Streichman gained a special status because he is a foreigner who believes in the God of Israel
Two thousand five hundred years after that law in Israel gave man becoming a resident stranger – a monthly event: The law led by Chief Rabbi David Lau, Rabbi Zion Boaron and multi Algrably score this week granted special status George Streichman, native Ukraine, a grandchild grandparent Jews who immigrated to Israel within the framework of the Law of Return, and lives today in Ramat Gan. Behind the move is the Sabbatical year approaching.
Unlike the sale of chametz on Pesach, the practice of selling land not yet Sabbatical year prohibition creates a conflict with ‘lo techanem, preventing the sale of land in the Land of Israel to non Jewish people. Accordingly, over the years made sure the purchaser all the less there will be an idolater, but this year decided rabbinate find Ben Noah ‘foreigner who fulfills the seven commandments and believe in the God of Israel, to give it the status of “resident stranger” and sell to him, the land.rite sale took place on Wednesday of this week at the Jerusalem Rabbinate, and was attended by the Chief Rabbi David Lau, Deputy Minister of Religious Services Eli Ben- Dahan, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Avraham Yosef and head of the Israel Lands Administration Benzi Lieberman. The sale includes both the fields of farmers who chose B’hitr sale, and the state land. Over the past few weeks have signed Hhlkaim forms under which they transfer their rights chief rabbis, are the part transferred the rights to the Israel Lands Administration, and Lieberman sold them along with the country’s land Streichman. After a tense relationship between the Chief Rabbinate office for religious services, it appears that prior to the Sabbatical efforts were made Shared safely get through the year. Beshmita previous state comptroller criticized the authorities for unnecessary red tape procedures, and consequently became time to contact Deputy Minister Ben Dahan. Chief Rabbi David Lau introduced amendments to the wording of the sale and improved the halachic level. The sale itself took time out of work: Each form was brought to the perusal of the rabbis, and then inspection by Ben Dahan – only after crossed the approval of the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religious Services was signing event was also attended by Rabbi Uri Sharki, standing at the top of the ‘everlasting covenant’ – the center World to Noah, who served as a spiritual guide Streichman. After years of dealing with the issue of Noah, for him it was the realization of a dream. “What happened in the Court of the week is the start of a change for the better and the handling of humanity by Israel,” he said in a conversation with Makor Rishon, “I seek to enshrine the status of ‘Noah’ law. Currently, a pair that both defined as being comfortable not can not marry in Israel. I work so that they will be recognized by the authorities and by the Chief Rabbinate could marry wedding ceremony tailored to them. ” Sharki Noah sees the issue of Jewish basic point. “This is a basic method which seeks to Judaism, to repair the world Kingdom of the Almighty,” he says. “We did not invent it. While we were in constant battle for survival was difficult for us to take care of others, but we Mssveno political independence play a role in humanity.” In response to the claim that efforts should be concentrated on the Jews and the boys to other nations, saying Sharki “On the contrary, I argue that the Jews’ departure from their tradition also stems from the lack of a universal message of Judaism, in truth there is in it.”
In response to this, Rabbi Bloomestiel of Yeshiva Pirchei Shoshanim wrote the following after contacting the Chief Rabbi’s office in Israel:
RABBI AVRAHAM CHAIM BLOOMENSTIEL
SHOCHET · SOFER · MO REH HORA’AH
YESHIVA PIRCHEI SHOSHANIM
RECHOV RABBI AKIVA 164
BNEI BRAK, ISRAEL
September 23, ’14
To Whom It May Concern:
I have received numerous letters and inquiries in the previous 24 hours from Noahides and others regarding a recent news report. This report states that the Chief Rabbinate recently awarded ger tosav status to a non-Jew in Israel.
Unfortunately, this report is being circulated by dishonest persons as “proof’ that ger toshav status may, and possibly must, be given to Noahides today.
I have spoken with the office of the Chief Rabbi and confirmed that the official position of the Chief Rabbinate is that there is no status of ger toshav in our times.
The article in question must be read carefully and in context to understand the issue at hand. The upcoming Hebrew year of 5775 is a shemittah year. The Torah, at the beginning of Leviticus 25, commands a Shabbat for the land of Israel, stating:
“Six years shall you sow your field, and six years shall you prune your vineyard and gather in their produce. But the seventh year shall be a Shabbat of solemn rest for the land, a Shabbat to HaShem; you shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. That which grows of itself of your crops you may not reap nor shallyou gather the grapes of your vine; it shall be a year of rest for the land.”
The observance of shemittah presented serious problems to the early pioneers who resettled the land in the 19th century. Many poskim, authorities on Torah law, permitted the sale of farm land to non-Jews during the shemittah year. This sale permitted agriculture to continue and produce food and resources for the settlements. This sale is known as the heter mechira. Though controversial, manycontinue to rely upon it even today. The heter mechira is similar, conceptually, to the Jewish practice of selling chometz, leaven, to a non-Jew over Passover. By doing so, the Jew minimizes his liability for owning leaven during the Passover holiday.
To ensure that the sale of leaven is incontestable in its validity, numerous stringencies in the Torah laws of purchasing and selling are obsetved in the transaction. Most of these stringencies are not required or observed in the normal course of business. Many are employed by the sale of leaven to remove any possible question as to the validity of the sale.
As with the possession of leaven over Passover, the Jewish cultivation of land during the Shemittah year is a serious transgression. To remove any possible question as to the validity of the sale of land to Mr. Streichman (the non-Jew mentioned in the report), the Chief Rabbinate included every possible stringency in the process. One such stringency was having Mr. Streichman take an oath as a ger toshav before a beis din, a Jewish court.
Non-Jews are not permitted by Torah law to own land in Israel. However, the Rabbinate has relied on the definition of ger toshav; explained in the Meiri, Raavad, and the Rambam as understood by the Kesef Mishnah to Hilchos Issurei Biah 14:8 and Hilchos Avodas Kokhavim 10:6 to permit any civilized, non-idolatrous person to own land and reside in Israel. The Rabbinate has never required anyone to become a ger toshav before a beis din. This is because they acknowledge that the halacha isthat we do not grant such a status anymore.
There is no transgression, though, in allowing a non-Jew to appear before a beis din and pledge to observe the Noahide laws. For the sake of heter mechira only was the Chief Rabbinate strict to require such a pledge. Their official position, as confirmed today, is that no such pledge is necessary or made in our times to reside in Israel or otherwise be identified as a Noahide.
I hope that this brief letter will help to allay any confusion or unfortunate misinformation.
Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel
General Editor
The Pirchei Shoshanim Noahide Laws Project
- Noahide Nations, "Ger Tosahv in Israel?", Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20151209101339/http://www.noahidenations.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=705:ger-toshav-in-israel&catid=219:news&Itemid=634
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