non-jew
Question
i have a friend who was born a non-jew but was adopted into a jewish family. she claims she was never converted, but she is in a jewsih school w/ hebrew studies. according to halacha, is it aloud for a non-jew to learn torah? even wen sometimes she dosnt want to learn it but its the schools schedual and requirements?
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiLet's start with the adopted a non-Jewish girl story. This girl must be given the right to choose at 12 years old, or at some point thereafter. She can say, "I don't want to be Jewish," or she can say, "I would like to be Jewish." My hunch is that the choice was never presented, because the parents weren't prepared to have a non-Jewish daughter. If that is the case, I would strongly recommend that she think it over for a while, a month, a year, a few years. There is no rush. Let her learn the laws of non-Jews, the seven Laws of the children of Noach. If she can keep those well, that's a good first step. She can grow up and be a real good person, marry a nice young Irishman, an Italian, or a black man, who believes in one God, and will also keep the 7 Laws. Wow! That would be wonderful. Her parents should be proud and thrilled. Of course that will not be the case. So they'll force her to become Jewish, and she might not really be Jewish, so her whole life will be messed up, and she'll take the guilt to the grave. If she is not yet officially Jewish, before she makes any decisions, she must understand the concepts of fully observant Judaism, and be prepared to follow 100%. Now the parents won't hear from it. "Our daughter is Jewish. She was converted by Rabbi so & so." If it makes her life easier, let her fake it, act as if she is Jewish, until either she makes up her mind to convert to Judaism, or she reaches an age where she can do what she wants. She can then notify her parents in writing or in person of her decision. While she is not Jewish, she should be careful NOT to keep Shabbat 100%, which means that she's required to do a Melachah. Maybe light a match or something. The learning of Torah is not a problem for her, especially since she is in this dilemma. The real problem is that they’re fooling her into something that she probably will never keep, causing more aggravation all around. Bring her over to me, if you'd like, and let me speak to her. I’m sure that we can help her get the right advice, and certainly a true and honest Halachic decision from my father. I’d rather see her a good God-fearing non-Jew, than a non-observant Jew. AA