Complimenting Non-Jews: Difference between revisions
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#One is forbidden to give a compliment to | #One is forbidden to give a compliment to a non-Jew or to his actions.<ref>Avoda Zara 20b quoting Devarim 7:2. Rambam Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 10:4. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14</ref> One is forbidden to bless a non-Jew.<ref>Magen Avraham O.C. 189:1 says that when there is a non-Jew in the house, one must change the text of the Harachaman in Birkat HaMazon to kulanu yachad benay bris. The Taz says to say kulanu benay bris yachad</ref> | ||
##Some explain that this by all non-Jews except for a ''ger toshav''.<ref>Tosfos Avoda Zara 20a s.v. d'amar. Beis Yosef C.M. 249. Shach Y.D. 151:18. | |||
##Some explain that this by all | |||
Sma C.M. 249:2 explains that a ger toshav is a person who accepts the sheva mitzvos bnei noach and we are therefore obligated to provide for him if he doesn't have and are allowed to give him gifts. However, one who doesn't abide by the sheva mitzvos can only be sold to</ref> | Sma C.M. 249:2 explains that a ger toshav is a person who accepts the sheva mitzvos bnei noach and we are therefore obligated to provide for him if he doesn't have and are allowed to give him gifts. However, one who doesn't abide by the sheva mitzvos can only be sold to</ref> | ||
##Others explain that this only applies to idolaters<ref>Meiri Avoda Zara 20a, Shut HaRashba 1:8, and Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426 | ##Others explain that this only applies to idolaters<ref>Meiri Avoda Zara 20a, Shut HaRashba 1:8, and Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426</ref> | ||
##Others explain that this only applied to the seven nations that inhabited the land of Israel in the days of Yehoshua.<ref>Torah Temimah in Devarim 7:2 | ##Others explain that this only applied to the seven nations that inhabited the land of Israel in the days of Yehoshua.<ref>Torah Temimah in Devarim 7:2</ref> | ||
#The prohibition is about the complimenting, not about the | #The prohibition is about the complimenting, not about the non-Jew benefiting. Therefore, it applies even if the non-Jew does not receive benefit.<ref>Avoda Berura Avoda Zara 20</ref> | ||
==Exceptions== | ==Exceptions== | ||
#It is permissible to praise | #It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a form of praise of God.<ref>Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14. Shut Btzel HaChochma 1:46</ref> | ||
#It is permissible to praise | #It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a springboard to praising a Jew.<ref>Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426</ref> | ||
#One may praise | #One may praise a non-Jew for good deeds he did for a Jew.<ref>Sefer Chasidim 746 uses this to explain how we can say Charvona Zachur LaTov on Purim after the Megillah reading</ref> One may also pray for such a person.<ref>Sefer HaChasidim 790. See Rav Chaim Palagi (Shut Chaim BiYad Siman 33) where he brings a proof from Elisha curing Naaman</ref> | ||
#One should pray and say kaddish for a non Jewish parent.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Daas 6:60)</ref> | #One should pray and say kaddish for a non Jewish parent.<ref>Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Daas 6:60)</ref> | ||
#Some | #Some allow praising the wisdom of a non-Jew.<ref>Shut Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:197 bases this on the idea of Medrash Eicha Rabah 2:13 that we should believe that the nations of the world have wisdom. This also explains how the Rambam would compliment Aristotle's wisdom. However, it is always advisable to use the praise as a springboard for the Jews by adding "but not as smart as our sages."</ref> | ||
#Some allow praising a non-Jew if there is no personal connection.<ref>Shut Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:197</ref> | |||
#Some allow praising a non-Jew after he dies.<ref>Avoda Berurah Avoda Zara 20 as we no longer have to worry about becoming to involved with the non-Jew.</ref> | |||
#Some allow praising | #Some only prohibit praising a non-Jew with above normal abilities.<ref>Shut Divrei Yatziv 10:43</ref> | ||
#Some allow praising | #If you have ulterior motive some allow complementing a non-Jew.<ref>Rabbi Pinchas Zvichi (Shut Ateret Paz E.H. 1:3:5) allows one to put up a sign lilu nishmot soldiers of the Israeli army including a non-Jew. He adds that there is also an additional concern of maintaining peace. | ||
#Some only prohibit praising | |||
# | |||
On the other hand, Rabbi Amram Bloom (Shut Beit Shearim Y.D. 227) says one shouldn't facilitate a relationship between | On the other hand, Rabbi Amram Bloom (Shut Beit Shearim Y.D. 227) says one shouldn't facilitate a relationship between non-Jews even though he will be making money as he will likely come to praise them.</ref> | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Interactions with | [[Category:Interactions with Non-Jews]] |
Revision as of 00:24, 23 July 2019
Source
- One is forbidden to give a compliment to a non-Jew or to his actions.[1] One is forbidden to bless a non-Jew.[2]
- The prohibition is about the complimenting, not about the non-Jew benefiting. Therefore, it applies even if the non-Jew does not receive benefit.[6]
Exceptions
- It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a form of praise of God.[7]
- It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a springboard to praising a Jew.[8]
- One may praise a non-Jew for good deeds he did for a Jew.[9] One may also pray for such a person.[10]
- One should pray and say kaddish for a non Jewish parent.[11]
- Some allow praising the wisdom of a non-Jew.[12]
- Some allow praising a non-Jew if there is no personal connection.[13]
- Some allow praising a non-Jew after he dies.[14]
- Some only prohibit praising a non-Jew with above normal abilities.[15]
- If you have ulterior motive some allow complementing a non-Jew.[16]
Links
- Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz - Lo Sechaneim - Gifts and Compliments to Gentiles
- Rabbi Chaim Goldberg - Bein Yisroel L'Nochri Siman 28 page 394
Sources
- ↑ Avoda Zara 20b quoting Devarim 7:2. Rambam Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 10:4. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14
- ↑ Magen Avraham O.C. 189:1 says that when there is a non-Jew in the house, one must change the text of the Harachaman in Birkat HaMazon to kulanu yachad benay bris. The Taz says to say kulanu benay bris yachad
- ↑ Tosfos Avoda Zara 20a s.v. d'amar. Beis Yosef C.M. 249. Shach Y.D. 151:18. Sma C.M. 249:2 explains that a ger toshav is a person who accepts the sheva mitzvos bnei noach and we are therefore obligated to provide for him if he doesn't have and are allowed to give him gifts. However, one who doesn't abide by the sheva mitzvos can only be sold to
- ↑ Meiri Avoda Zara 20a, Shut HaRashba 1:8, and Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426
- ↑ Torah Temimah in Devarim 7:2
- ↑ Avoda Berura Avoda Zara 20
- ↑ Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14. Shut Btzel HaChochma 1:46
- ↑ Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426
- ↑ Sefer Chasidim 746 uses this to explain how we can say Charvona Zachur LaTov on Purim after the Megillah reading
- ↑ Sefer HaChasidim 790. See Rav Chaim Palagi (Shut Chaim BiYad Siman 33) where he brings a proof from Elisha curing Naaman
- ↑ Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Daas 6:60)
- ↑ Shut Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:197 bases this on the idea of Medrash Eicha Rabah 2:13 that we should believe that the nations of the world have wisdom. This also explains how the Rambam would compliment Aristotle's wisdom. However, it is always advisable to use the praise as a springboard for the Jews by adding "but not as smart as our sages."
- ↑ Shut Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:197
- ↑ Avoda Berurah Avoda Zara 20 as we no longer have to worry about becoming to involved with the non-Jew.
- ↑ Shut Divrei Yatziv 10:43
- ↑ Rabbi Pinchas Zvichi (Shut Ateret Paz E.H. 1:3:5) allows one to put up a sign lilu nishmot soldiers of the Israeli army including a non-Jew. He adds that there is also an additional concern of maintaining peace. On the other hand, Rabbi Amram Bloom (Shut Beit Shearim Y.D. 227) says one shouldn't facilitate a relationship between non-Jews even though he will be making money as he will likely come to praise them.