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RE: Exposing Misinformation about Ger, Ger-Toshav & Ger-Tzedek - Director Michael - 07-24-2026
Question:
Quote:Why there is no concept of someone being a Ger Toshav in our time?
The reason is: that is what is dictated by the Torah law. The concept of Ger Toshav only exists in Torah law, and it is Torah law which specifies the conditions under which a person can or cannot be a Ger Toshav.
The term "Resident Alien" is a translation of the Hebrew, Ger Toshav. It refers to a Gentile who accepts upon himself the observance of the Seven Commandments under specific circumstances which do not apply in our time. The term is appropriate, because such a Gentile is entitled within Torah law to settle in the Land of Israel. For when the Jews have undisputed rule over the land, they are forbidden by Torah law to allow a Gentile who has not accepted the Seven Noahide Commandments to dwell there for one moment. See the following Torah laws in Mishneh Torah by Rambam. I inserted clarifications and explanations in square brackets.
Hilchot Avodat Kochavim 10:6
All the above matters apply only in an era when the Jewish people are in exile among the Gentiles or in an era when the Gentiles are in power [over the Land of Israel].
When, however, the Jewish people [in the Land of Israel] are in power over them, it is forbidden [by Torah law] for us [Jews] to allow an idolater among us.
Even a temporary resident or a merchant who travels from place to place should not be allowed to pass through our land [of Israel] unless he accepts the Seven Commandments that were commanded to Noah and his descendants, as Exodus 23:33 states: "They [any idolaters] shall not dwell in your land" — i.e., even temporarily.
A person who accepts these Seven Commandments is a Ger Toshav. [See Laws of Kings 8:10, "This acceptance must be made in the presence of three Torah scholars."]
A Ger Toshav may be accepted only in the era when the Torah laws of the Jubilee Year [Yovel] are observed. [That is only when the entire Jewish people are dwelling in the Land of Israel.] In an era when the Torah laws of the Jubilee Year are not observed, however, we may accept only full converts to Judaism [i.e., when the Torah laws of the Jubilee Year are not observed, Jews can't validate anyone as a Ger Toshav].
Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 14:7
...Why is he called a Resident [Toshav]? Because we [Jews] are permitted to allow him to dwell [l'hashivo] among us in the Land of Israel, as explained in Hilchot Avodah Zarah [Avodat Kochavim 10:6].
I will add here that the above explanation about Ger Toshav is completely irrelevant to the question of whether or not Noahides may observe Shabbat in the same way as Jews are commanded, because even Gentiles who are Ger Toshav (which can only be in an era when Yovel is observed) are forbidden to observe Shabbat in the same way as Jews are commanded.