[Avodah] Shmiras Shabbos for non-Jews

[Cantor Wolberg]

Shabbos commemorates the creation of the universe — “ki sheishes yomim  
osso...al kein beirach.
In Va’eschanan, Devorim 5:15, Shabbos is also associated with yetzias  
Mitzrayim— “vezocharto ki eved hoyiso...al kein tzivcho.

Reb Meir Simcha In Parshas Va’eschanan asks: Shabbos, which is a  
zeicher of briyas ha’olam, should be universal, and observed
by all mankind. Why, then, is the opposite true; not only is Shemiras  
Shabbos not obligatory for non-jews, but it is prohibited for a non-jew
to mark the Shabbos through shemirah– akum sheshovas chayav missa?  
(Sanhedrin 58b)

I have seen seven good responses which I'm sure many of you already  
know.
The following is my own response.

In the Megillas Esther 8:17 it says: "...Moreover, many from among the  
people of the land professed themselves Jews, for the fear of the Jews
had fallen upon them."   The term in the verse "Misyahadim" (Judaized)  
is used as opposed to "misgayarim" (converted).  In a sense, by their
masquerading as Jews, they were ridiculing us (even though the  
m'forshim give another reason). Hence, by a non-Jew keeping Shabbos, it
could be seen as mocking us. Therefore, they are chayav missa. If they  
sincerely believe and want to observe Shabbos, then they can convert.

ri 
   
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