Complimenting Non-Jews

From Halachipedia

Source

  1. 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]
    1. Some explain that this by all non-Jews except for a ger toshav.[3]
    2. Others explain that this only applies to idolaters[4]
    3. Others explain that this only applied to the seven nations that inhabited the land of Israel in the days of Yehoshua.[5]
  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

  1. If you have a relationship with the non-Jew and may receive something in return, one is permitted to give gifts.[7]
  2. It is permitted to give a gift for an ulterior motive.[8]
  3. It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a form of praise of God.[9]
  4. It is permissible to praise a non-Jew as a springboard to praising a Jew.[10]
  5. One may praise a non-Jew for good deeds he did for a Jew.[11] One may also pray for such a person.[12]
  6. One may pray and say kaddish for a non Jewish parent.[13]
  7. Some allow praising the wisdom of a non-Jew.[14]
  8. Some allow praising a non-Jew if there is no personal connection.[15]
  9. Some allow praising a non-Jew after he dies.[16]
  10. Some only prohibit praising a non-Jew with above normal abilities.[17]

Links

  1. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz - Lo Sechaneim - Gifts and Compliments to Gentiles
  2. Rabbi Chaim Goldberg - Bein Yisroel L'Nochri Siman 28 page 394

Sources

  1. ↑ Avoda Zara 20b quoting Devarim 7:2. Rambam Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 10:4. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14
  2. ↑ 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
  3. ↑ 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
  4. ↑ Meiri Avoda Zara 20a, Shut HaRashba 1:8, and Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426
  5. ↑ Torah Temimah in Devarim 7:2
  6. ↑ Avoda Berura Avoda Zara 20
  7. ↑ Taz Y.D. 151:8. Rosh Avoda Zara 1:19 explains that it is not a free gift, but an exchange, similar to a sale.
  8. ↑ Ran (Gittin 38b) uses this rationale to explain how Rabbi Eliezer freed his slave in order to complete a minyan. Although this was a gift to the slave, it is permissible if the givers benefit. Shut HaRashbash 468 says it would be prohibited to give a vessel to a non-Jew as a present on Yom Tov if you forgot to do tevilas keilim.
  9. ↑ Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:14. Shut Btzel HaChochma 1:46
  10. ↑ Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426
  11. ↑ Sefer Chasidim 746 uses this to explain how we can say Charvona Zachur LaTov on Purim after the Megillah reading
  12. ↑ Sefer HaChasidim 790
  13. ↑ Rav Ovadia Yosef (Yechaveh Daas 6:60)
  14. ↑ 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."
  15. ↑ Shut Teshuvos V'Hanhagos 4:197
  16. ↑ Avoda Berurah Avoda Zara 20 as we no longer have to worry about becoming to involved with the non-Jew.
  17. ↑ Shut Divrei Yatziv 10:43
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