Tuesday's Thoughts on the Daf - Nazir 61

Nazir 61 contains both the end of the eighth and beginning of the ninth perakim of Nazir. In the mishna that commences the ninth perek, there is a discussion about who may legally become a nazir. In explaining the mishna, the gemara on Nazir 61a discusses the ramification of the mishna's statement and examines whether a non-Jew may become a nazir.

Of interest in this analysis is the discussion as to the possible reasons why a non-Jew could or could not become a nazir. [Yes there really is no reason that a non-Jew would want to become a nazir since it would mean exteme sacrifice as the person would be barred from activities including taking haircuts and drinking wine for the nazir period. The motivation for the actions of the non-Jew for wanting to become a nazir is not discussed]. As part of the discourse, the gemara suggests that a non-Jew should not be able to become a nazir because one of the elements of nezirus is that the nazir is barred from becoming ritually impure through involvement in the burial of his father or mother during his nezirus period. Following a discussion on inheritance, the gemara hypothesizes that since the non-Jew is not obligated in the Torah to honor his mother or father, there would be no sacrifice by the non-Jew of his ability to partake of the burial and as such the laws of nazir could not apply to him. While the gemara ultimately rejects this theory as the basis why a non-Jew cannot become a nazir, the principle that a non-Jew is not obligated by the Torah to honor his parents is not challenged.

I found this concept very interesting and utilized it in the following test - If I were to ask you whether a non-Jew was obligated to observe dietary laws mandating the separation of milk and meat (Kosher), you would answer me in the negative. Similarly, if I were to ask whether the non-Jew was obligated to not mix wool and linen in his garments (shatnes) you would also answer negatively. However, if asked whether a non-Jew was obligated by the Torah to honor his parents (its my belief that) nine times out of ten the answer given would be yes. The gemara however indicates the contrary - that a non-Jew is not required to honor his parents under Torah law.

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