- Torah and Jewish Thought
- Torah Teachings
Teaching Torah to Converts
Question
Hi, following up the question "Teaching Torah to non-Jews" - I was wondering, how come it is permitted to teach Torah to non Jews who are intend to convert to Judaism?
Answer
Shalom,
Thank you for your question. In fact it is a very good question that many rabbis have debated over. Because of the prohibition to teach Torah to a non-Jew (except the seven mitzvoth that all of humanity are command to keep), some rabbis in fact forbade teaching a potential convert Torah. See for example Rav Akiva Eiger (response 41). But the overwhelming halachic opinion is that a non-Jew who shows sincere interest in converting should be taught Torah. This is based on many considerations, amongst which are that some hold that it is only rabbinically forbidden to teach Torah to a non-Jew, and the rabbis allowed for teaching that is for conversion.
For a full discussion on this issue see Rabbi Y.H. Henkin's response in his B'nie Banim (volume three, 13-14).
Blessings.

Defining dolls which aren't idols
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 7, 5780

Rambam on Shedim (demons)
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 18 Shevat 5765

Commentary Confusion
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 25 Tammuz 5764

Letters of Hebrew and Kabbalah
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tammuz 4, 5780

Rabbi David Sperling

Blessing for pre-owned car
Nisan 23, 5771

Reheating Food in an oven on Shabbat
Adar II 24, 5771

Pesach - leaving home before Pesach
Adar II 22, 5771

Guests driving on Shabbat
Nisan 25, 5771
Genesis 24: 2-9 – Put your hand under my thigh
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Tevet 26, 5770

Shabbat vs. Yom Kippur- What's more important?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 14, 5778

Eating in Shiurim
Rabbi David Sperling | Tishrei 7, 5775

Sitting for Tefillin
Rabbi David Sperling | Sivan 12, 5772

chelev oblation
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 25, 5783
