More Discussions for this daf
1. Teaching Torah to non-Jews 2. Feeding the Dogs and Caring for King David 3. Forgiven after Death
4. Hashra'as ha'Shechinah 5. Melachah she'Einah Tzericha l'Gufah 6. Author of Tehillim 24
7. David ha'Melech's Final Concerns 8. David ha'Melech asking for 1 day less of life 9. "Hiding" Mishlei
10. When Patur means Mutar 11. Al Tikri 12. Extinguishing for a Choleh Sheyesh Bo Sakana
13. Chanukat HaBayit shel Shlomo 14. Muktzah for King David? 15. תקנות משה רבינו
DAF DISCUSSIONS - SHABBOS 30

Bruce R. Neal asked:

Rabbis- I just finished reading the Daf for today. Daf Shabbos 30 it said we are not to teach Torah to gentiles? I can remember reading a midrash about Moshe Rebbenu writing Torah in 70 languages. Yosef talking to Pharoah, after coming out of prison, in 70 languages...teaching .... Gentiles have come to synagogues in recent years like never before...they have found truth in Torah ..... A ChaBaD Rabbi I met in Denver, Colo...said, B''H he had over 10 people come to him to convert Orthodox......Moshiach Gay Commen...... Finally, we have a Torah Study at our house...friends of ours that are not Jewish desire to come....study the weekly parsha.... the Talmud cant mean we are not to invite them back ????? Please clarify this for me and my family... Thank you,

Bruce Neal

Bakersfield, California USA....

The Kollel replies:

The NETZIV (Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehudah Berlin) clarified this in MESHIV DAVAR (1880), and wrote that it is permitted to teach the written Torah to non-Jews (that is, the Pentateuch and the Scriptures). This explains how Moshe Rabeinu wrote the Torah in seventy languages. When the Gemara says that one may not teach Torah to non-Jews, it is referring to the oral Torah ("Torah sh'Ba'al Peh"), such as Mishnah and Gemara.

Regarding converts, once a non-Jew has decided to convert, and is fully committed to becoming an observant and dedicated Jew, he may be taught everything which is necessary for him to know, as the Maharsha writes here (31a, see Rebbi Akiva Eiger). However, our Sages have said that if a non-Jew comes to convert, we must try to persuade him out of it. This is the Halachah and the practice today.

(Of course, if he insists on converting and demonstrates that he is genuinely dedicated, he is accepted with open arms.)

As far as practical questions, one should consult with a competent rabbinical authority.

It is always a pleasure to hear from you and to read your insightful questions.

All the best,

Yisrael Shaw