Avodah Zarah, Daf Gimmel, Part 1

 

Introduction

Yesterday s section concluded with the statement that even if the nations of the world observe the Noahide commandments, they still do not receive a reward for doing so. Today s section begins with a critique of that view.

 

ולא? והתניא, היה רבי מאיר אומר: מנין שאפילו עובד כוכבים ועוסק בתורה שהוא ככהן גדול? תלמוד לומר: +ויקרא יח+ אשר יעשה אותם האדם וחי בהם, כהנים לוים וישראלים לא נאמר אלא האדם, הא למדת, שאפילו עובד כוכבים ועוסק בתורה – הרי הוא ככהן גדול!

 

But they do not? Has it not been taught: R. Meir used to say: From where do we know that even a non-Jew who studies the Torah is equal to a High Priest? Scripture says: You shall therefore keep My statutes and My ordinances which, if a man do, he shall live by them (Leviticus 18:5). Priests, Levites, or Israelites is not stated here, rather a man. This teaches you that even a non-Jew who studies the Torah is equal to a High Priest!

 

R. Meir uses the fact that the verse uses the word, a man, by that implying any man, to teach that non-Jews receive reward for the Torah they study and the mitzvot they perform.

We should note that this sugya is a great example of the multi-vocality of the Talmud. Within a few lines of text we have two diametrically opposed positions. The Talmud will harmonize these views but this does not negate the fact that both are allowed room to exist.

 

אלא לומר לך, שאין מקבלין עליהם שכר כמצווה ועושה אלא כמי שאינו מצווה ועושה, דאמר ר’ חנינא: גדול המצווה ועושה יותר משאינו מצווה ועושה.

 

Rather this teaches that they are not rewarded as greatly as one who does a thing which he is commanded to do, but rather as one who does a thing he is not commanded to do. For, R. Hanina said: One who is commanded and does is greater than one who is not commanded and does.

 

The resolution is that non-Jews who perform commandments do receive a reward, albeit not one as great as Israel who is commanded to perform the mitzvot.

 

[אלא כך] אומרים [העובדי כוכבים] לפני [הקדוש ברוך הוא]: רבש"ע, ישראל שקיבלוה היכן קיימוה? אמר להם הקדוש ברוך הוא אני מעיד בהם שקיימו את התורה [כולה]. אומרים לפניו: רבש"ע, כלום יש אב שמעיד על בנו? דכתיב: +שמות ד+ בני בכורי ישראל! אמר להם הקדוש ברוך הוא: שמים וארץ יעידו בהם שקיימו את התורה כולה.

 

The nations will then say, Master of the Universe, has Israel, who accepted the Torah, observed it? The Holy Blessed One will reply, I can give testify that they observed the Torah. Then they will say back to Him, Master of the Universe, can a father testify on behalf of his son? For it is written, Israel is My son, My firstborn (Exodus 4:22).Then will the Holy Blessed One will say: Heaven and Earth testify that Israel has fulfilled the entire Torah.

 

We now return to the main thread of the aggadah the dialogue between God and the nations of the world. I think we can see this claim coming a mile away. Why are the non-Jews punished for not observing the Torah? Do they Jews do such a good job? One need not read far into the Bible to find Jews committing sins rampantly.

God attempts to find witnesses to testify that Israel does observe the Torah. Stay tuned the drama continues tomorrow!