161.

Gentiles in a Jewish Congregation

QUESTION: Can a Gentile who has lived a basically Jewish life, and is married to a Jewess, join a
congregation in his own right? (Rabbi J. Edelstein, Monroeville, PA)

ANSWER: This Gentile would be considered a ger toshav, or a follower of the Noahide laws, but of
course, we could not consider him to be a ger tzedek, or a convert to Judaism. Christians and Muslims,
as monotheists, have been classified as gerei toshav since the Middle Ages (Meir of Rothenburg
Responsa #386; Yad Hil. M'lakhim 8.11, Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 148.2, etc.) rather than idolaters.
The status of a ger toshav is rather clear. A ger toshav is considered equal to a Jew in all legal matters,
but he has no status in connection with ritual obligations, for they are not incumbent upon him. He would,
therefore, not be considered part of the quota for a minyan or for m'zuman, nor could he lead a worship
service, etc. (Shulhan Arukh Orah Hayim 199.4).

We can not include such an individual in our synagogue membership. This would, after all, entail their
participation in every aspect of synagogue life, the right to lead services, the right to help determine policy
or synagogue members. It would be inappropriate to have unconverted Gentiles participate in these
aspects of congregational life. If this individual feels close to the congregation and wishes to help it, then
he should feel free to contribute to it, attend its services and functions; perhaps later that individual will
convert and join the congregation.

July 1977