Israel and Humanity - Obligations of martyrs for the Gentiles

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§ 2.

OBLIGATION OF MARTYRDOM FOR THE GENTILES

The Talmud was naturally asked whether the profession of monotheism leads to non-Jews obliged to suffer martyrdom rather than violate their religious duties. [1] For the Jewish birth, the question does not even arise, and the story is there to attest incomparable heroism with which Israel has always understood this duty. But doctors have raised doubts about the Noachide and controversy about this show alone the care they took to consider all aspects of the universal religion and tolerance they professed generous towards gentiles attracted by the doctrines of Judaism. These studies warrant further accuses the Pharisees of this is somewhere that their desire to impose the Gospel to pagan converts a yoke heavier than they were in charge themselves [2]

Anyway, here is the Talmudic passage in question: "They asked R. Amme: The Noachide is it, yes or no, obliged to sanctify God's name (for martyrdom)? Abay said: What does the Baraita ? Seven commandments were prescribed to children of Noah. But there would be eight if the sanctification of God's name should be considered for them as a precept. Raba said: Under the seven commandments, we must also include all the features that depend on it. What do we concluded from all this? Rab Adda, son of Ahaba, told the school name of Rab: It is written [3]: "Here, however, one thing that I pray the Lord forgive your servant. When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship and that rests on my arm, I also prostrate myself in the temple of Rimmon: that the Lord will forgive your servant, if I may worship in the temple of Rimmon! Elisha replied, "Go in peace." Therefore, if the Noachide (like Naaman) was required to sanctify the name of God, Elisha attraction have taught him the distinction between public act of worship is forbidden and secret adoration is permitted when the life is danger [4].

The indulgence which the rabbis show, according to this valuable text, with respect to the Noachide regarding the duty to sanctify the name of God, or of martyrdom, not connected Does not that freedom Tradition gives the non-Jew to associate in worship gods subordinate to lower [5] Supreme God? [6] It is at least possible to suppose the report seems so obvious. In any case, what is interesting is the doctrine that has been drawn from this passage in the Talmud. On this as on many others, opinions are divided. According to Rashi, the problem has not been resolved. According Tosafot on the contrary, the issue has been resolved in the direction of the exemption granted is also nice and the resulting system of Rashi himself, since he claims as the doubt, it is clear that this uncertainty may give rise to any obligation of conscience. Maimonides, R. Jona and R. Nissim stood aside the opinion of Tosafot However it says that Rashi saw duty in the Talmud of martyrdom for the Gentiles as to the Israelites and Nachmanides in treating this same question, said explicitly that, when an act of public worship, the Noachides are required, too, sanctifying God's name [7]


References

  1. Page 672
  2. Matthew, XXXII, four.
  3. Kings, V. 18,19.
  4. Sanhedrin
  5. Page 673
  6. To avoid confusion in the reader's mind, we feel obliged to point out that when the author speaks of worshiping lesser gods, he takes the word worship in the sense of reverence, homage he has often in the Bible. According to his exposition of the doctrine in relation to Hebrew religious Noachide it presents some analogy with that of Roman theologians. It is known that they distinguish between the worship of latria is due to God alone and that of dulia is given to the angels and saints . This worship, allowed the Gentiles to the extent that it does not alter the profession of pure monotheism, is strictly forbidden to Israel. In fact Moses himself was the subject of any religion in the Jewish and place of his burial was even kept secret so that the crowds might not be tempted to involve in some way the largest prophets to worship the true God (Mark Publishers).
  7. Sanhedrin 74; Nachmanides, Sepher Milhamot ascem ; Maimonides, Melachim X, 2.