Jews and Gentiles - the Sabbath

Rabbi Markel's Analysis

by Rabbi Yossi Markel

One of the most difficult Halachas as far as Noachide Halacha is the relationship of the Noachide to the Sabbath. It seems that many authorities Pasken (rule) that a Bnei Noach (person of the House of Noah) may keep the Sabbath (as long as he does a "labor") in opposition to the Rambam.

Both the Lubavitcher Rebbe and (to the best of my understanding) Rb Moshe Feinstein held like the Rambam, who says that a non-Jew may not keep the Sabbath at all. In several places, the Rebbe seems to say that no one disagrees with the Rambam on this.

In a letter from Rabbi Tendler who basically learned from Rb Moshe Feinstein he summarizes this as:

It is forbidden for a non-Jew to designate Shabbos or any other day as a day of rest, to commemorate the fact that Hashem created the universe and rested on the Seventh Day as Jews do. In other words, on Shabbos they must go about their business as on any other day, and not refrain from activities, because it is the "Sabbath."

The letter was supplied to me by Rabbi Y. Sitzman, and I received permission from Rabbi Tendler to publicize it as necessary.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe basically says that the opinion which Rabbis Schwartz and Sitzman are following assume that there is a Machlokes (difference of opinion) between Rashi and Rambam, and the Halacha is like Rashi [understandably so, since if this were the case, Rambam's opinion is Schvach (difficult)].

According to this, there is also a seeming Machlokes (difference of opinion) between the Gemara (Sanhedrin) and the Medrash (Shmos Rabba). According to the Lubavitcher Rebbe (in Kol Baei Olam p 70 & on), apparently the opinions are complementary rather than exclusive.

The halacha should read like this, "A Ben Noach may certainly not keep Shabbos like the Jews in any way at all." HaRav Schwartz said, "A Noachide may not call it Sabbath." The Rebbe further expounds:

A Noachide May not call it a Shabbos LaShem.

A Sabbath of Hashem (that is, the Tetragrammaton).

Nor may he call any day Sabbath.

As the Rambam continues, that he may not even designate any day as a Shabbath even to keep in any way (like the Xtians or Moslems). Also, he cannot innovate any other religious ritual or holiday - all the above is mitsad Chiddush Das (because of innovation of a religious ritual) (and regarding Shabbos also gneiva - theft). That means that he cannot say that G-d spoke to him or someone else and gave him a holiday or a ritual which is Divinely originated specially for Noachides. But he can be a Noachide or he can convert to Judaism. Those are the two choices.

The Rebbe says that Rambam's halacha is as you read above, and this is accepted by all. Now, Tractate Sanhedrin comes in to tell us that. A Noachide may not even be idle from productive activity even on a regular day, even if he does not designate it as a Holy Day or consider the rest to be a religious tenet.

This does not mean that he has to do any work at all, whether one of the 39 Sabbath labors or an activity which requires exertion. It means that he has to be actively involved in Yishuv HaOlam - the settlement of the world. That is, he has to be productive. To be productive can mean many things - basically, that he does not just bum out.

So for example, a guard who just sits there all day is productive. So is a truck driver who just came back from a long trip and now sleeps for 24 hrs straight. So is someone who is taking his yearly two-week vacation to recharge himself so that he can work properly the next fifty weeks.

A Ben Noach is also considered as productive if he is involved in activities which enhance his own and other people's goodness and holiness, or in studying the parts of Torah which he is allowed to study. However, a total bum who lights a match or lifts a heavy load everyday is not fulfilling the above properly.

This is where the Machlokes comes in. Some sources say that a Noachide must do one of the 39 Melachos (types of work prohibited on Shabbos) every day to show that he is not keeping Shabbos. It is usually accepted that either way may be taken, but one who wants to be stringent should do a Melacha every day.

However, what about the needs of Noachides to have days reserved for Prayer and repentance and glorification of the Holy Name. Here is a letter written to me by a Noachide mother with the names removed to protect her privacy.

The Letter

That's why we need you : )

In our other list there was much discussion of what was and what was not acceptable practice . But there was rarely anybody with the authority and education to tell us where things really stood. We have been "floundering" because of our lack of Rabbinical direction.

My family does observe the 7th Day and the Jewish festivals in the way presented by the BNQ. If we are doing something improper, we need to know!

One thing to keep in mind (having no bearing on the halacha, I suppose) are the children. When we BN take the step in our journey of eliminating all of those pagan holiday celebrations, we have to think of our kids, and what comes next. To take it all away, and offer nothing better, is tough. If it must be, it must be. But it ain't so easy to explain to a 7 year old who sees the xtains kids celebrating their days, and Jewish kids celebrating their days - and he has nothing.

Thank you so much for your help.

Signature

End of letter

She is 100% right. There is an important consideration of Chinuch (education) and Chizuk Hadas (strengthening of the Faith) is for both children and adults. I have been talking this over with several Rabbis for quite some time, and we apparently agree that a Noachide can have days of celebration, repentance and giving thanks. It seems that all authorities agree on this. The Rebbe explains that this is not called a Sabbath To Hashem but rather a Thanksgiving to Elokim: the name that represents G-glyness creating Nature. So if a Noachide wants, he can follow the Sabbath and Holidays in that way.

We suggest to the Bnei Noach that they make no point of refraining from work. They should view this not as a religious duty of commemorating that Hashem (G-d) is the Creator of all the universe but as an opportunity to devote a day to stressing the principles of the faith. This would be in conformity with the views of Rav Elyashiv, the Rebbe and Rabbi Tendler and also enable them to educate their children and strengthen their Faith and commitment to Noachism and to enhance family values and strengthen family unity.

They could have festive meals, etc., although I suggest that they cook them during the day rather than previously as Jews do. This would also serve as the Melacha (work prohibited for Jews on the Sabbath). Please keep in mind that a Ben Noach does not have to do this and may do it on a monthly or bi weekly or any other basis if he wants—not necessarily on Saturday. As a matter of fact, a Noachide need not do this at all.

May our efforts help in bringing the Messiah

Rabbi Yossi Markel