Home -- Content: Series 7 (Laws) -- Translation: English -- Book: 1 (Tora) -- Part: 2 (Negative) -- Prohibition: 51 -- Text
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The Sharia of Moses in the TORA
Part 2 - The 365 Prohibitions of the Tora
51 - SUFFERING IDOLATERS TO DWELL IN OUR LAND
Exodus 23:33 -- “They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
According to Maimonides, we may not suffer an idolater to dwell in our land even as a temporary resident, “or even as a traveler, journeying with merchandise from place to place” till he has undertaken to forswear idolatry. The Rabad,* however, disputes this interpretation of the commandment, and holds that it applies only to the Seven Nations, and only where permanent residence is contemplated.**
* The Rabad (R. Abraham Ben David of Posquiers), the critic of Maimonides
** Mishneh Torah, Mada, Hilchoth Abodath Kochabim X, 7, Commentaries
** Mishneh Torah, Mada, Hilchoth Abodath Kochabim X, 7, Commentaries