Chulin 114 — “Resident Aliens: Three Definitions of Ger Toshav”

Our Gemara on Amud Beis refers to a certain non-Jewish resident of Israel. Though he is not a member of the tribe, there are still an obligation to still look after his welfare. This is known as a ger toshav, literally a resident stranger. The halachic definition of a ger toshav is subject to a three-way dispute:

Gemara Avodah Zara (64b) reports:

“Anyone who has accepted upon himself before three ḥaverim (i.e., before sages of a certain stature who are committed to the meticulous observance of mitzvos, especially Halachos of ritual purity, teruma, and tithes) not to worship idols, this is the statement of Rabbi Meir.

“And the Rabbis say: Anyone who has accepted upon himself observance of the seven mitzvos that the descendants of Noah accepted upon themselves is a ger toshav.”

“Others say: These have not entered the category of ger toshav. Rather, who is a ger toshav? This is a convert who eats unslaughtered animal carcasses, which are not kosher, but who has accepted upon himself to observe all of the mitzvos that are stated in the Torah except for the prohibition against eating unslaughtered carcasses.”

What is the logic behind these three distinct ways that we determine if this person is fit to dwell in Israel, though he is not Jewish? Perhaps the key is from a verse in Shemos (23:33):

“They shall not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for you will serve their gods—and it will prove a snare to you.”

We therefore surmise the criterion or criteria for being allowed to reside in the land of Israel is to be sufficiently observant so that it will not cause others to follow in sinful ways. Rabbi Meir requires a basic minimum of at least not being an idolator, the Rabbis require a commitment to all seven Noachide laws, and the others require even further commitment, almost all the mitzvos except Shabbos, because that is a special covenantal........

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