21 Menachem Av 5776
Most of the Torah and halachah that deals with the issue of non-Jews in Eretz Yisrael is for two reasons: 1) it is a foregone conclusion that Eretz Yisrael is where Jews should be living; and, 2) it's the only place where we have the mastery over our own will and laws.
What is the halachah for living among the non-Jews in the Diaspora? When we are living in their lands, we are their guests. It is up to us to steer clear of them - to be good citizens (as long as their laws do not conflict with God's law) and to try to keep ourselves and Judaism alive - to survive and not to assimilate, either their religion or their culture.
Orthodoxy has traditionally forbidden interfaith dialogue and interaction while the Heterodox movements embrace it. (That should tell you something right there.)
In the interests of truth, clarity and compliance with the Creator's will as expressed in His Holy Torah, here are some links to previously posted excerpts from Rabbi Kahane's Or HaRa'ayon: The Jewish Idea.
Some Halachot regarding non-Jews in Eretz Yisrael
Excerpts from The Non-Jew in Eretz Yisrael by Rabbi Meir Kahane
Torah perspective: They really must go – Rabbi Meir Kahane
Or HaRa'ayon, Vol II, Ch. 20 - The Non-Jew in Eretz Yisrael
Unfortunately, what the observant G-D fearing Jews of just a few decades ago knew and understood without question, has gone by the wayside even amongst the 'observant' Jews in this chaotic and confused era. It's just like Chazal tell us that the very end of days, the Erev Rav will be everywhere: among the rabbis, the orthodox, etc. and, of course, those in high powered positions. H' help us! nili
ReplyDeleteAlmost twenty years ago my husband had a privilege to speak with R Bomzer z"lb about a prospective conversion in our community.To your knowledge, Lubavitch Rebbe was sending all prospective converts to R Bomzer z"lb. So, he explained that this is a huge responsibility for the rabbi, who performs conversion. Because if the convert is righteousness, then the rabbi would get all the schut for all the mitzvot the convert would perform,but if convert had ulterior motives and would do many averot, those averot would be on that rabbi,who converted him. That's is why it's a such a selective process for the rabbi to perform the conversion because it will alter his Olam Abah.Apparently, nowadays not many rabbis care that it's not just about money.
ReplyDeleteChana
None of this is concerned with conversion, Chana, so I don't understand why you raise this issue, although it's a very interesting concept.
DeleteA ger toshav is a superior ben noach who wishes to formally identify with the am yisrael without undergoing full conversion. He has to take on at least 1 extra mitzva apart from his required 7. He does not have to circumsize nor live in eretz yisrael to be in the category of ger toshav.
ReplyDelete