[Avodah] Gentiles in the Torah

[Cantor Wolberg]

Regarding all of the negative things we've heard about goyim in the  
gemara, the following which is part of Micha's beautiful article  
entitled "Universalism" in the Aspaqlaria dated
April 20, 2007 and updated Oct. 12, 2007, should be what we see more  
of and hopefully will counteract the negative and unkind opinions  
regarding non Jews.

Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik, zt”l, wrote in his book Logic of the Heart,  
Logic of the Mind, the concept of kavod habriyos, the dignity of Man,  
is a halachic imperative that constitutes the basis of human rights,  
and the basis of all civilized jurisprudence.

As the Rambam says in Hilchos Sanhedrin (24:8-10), these rights apply  
even to pagans. “Tzedek tzedek tirdof.” Why should the Torah repeat  
the word tzedek? Rabbenu Bachaye interprets it to mean that the same  
standard of righteousness should be applied toward all non-Jews.

As an example of this attitude, Rabbi Soloveichik related the  
following story from the Talmud Yerushalmi (Bava Metzia):

Shimon Ben Shetach worked in the flax business. His students advised  
him to give up that business and buy a donkey which would provide a  
better income. Shimon Ben Shetach agreed. So his students went to a  
pagan Arab and bought a donkey for him. After the purchase they  
discovered a large diamond tied to it. They brought the animal and the  
jewel to their rebbe who thereupon asked them, “Did the Arab know that  
there was a diamond tied to the donkey?” They answered, “No.” Shimon  
Ben Shetach told his students to immediately go back and return the  
diamond. But the students knew the laws regarding returning lost  
objects to idolaters. They knew that they were not required by halacha  
to do so. Why, they asked their rebbe, did he ask them to return it?  
He answered, Do you think that I am a barbarian? I am more interested  
in hearing the exclamation, “Blessed be the God of the Jews” from  
pagans than I am in earning a living.
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