Teaching Torah to Gentiles
Question
Is there any mitzvah to teach Torah to a gentile when he/she is studying for giyur? Is there a difference if the potential proselyte is a male or female? Can one charge money for these classes?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
As a general rule, it is forbidden for a Jew to teach Torah to a gentile or even for a gentile to learn Torah on his own. A Jew who teaches Torah to a Gentile transgresses one or more commandments of the Torah though some authorities rule that the ban on teaching Torah to a Gentile is rabbinic.
It is permitted, however, for a Gentile to learn the Seven Noahide laws. In fact, it says that a Gentile who does so is deserving of honor like a Kohen Gadol!
One may also teach Torah to a Gentile who is in the process of conversion as a Gentiel must willingly accept the Torah and it’s mitzvot in order to convert...hence he/she must know them.
A common scenario is when a rabbi is teaching Torah to Jews and, for whatever reason, there are Gentiles in the room. In this situation the rabbi is permitted to teach even though Gentiles might be learning Torah in the process.
Regarding the issue of being paid to teach Torah: in theory, it is actually forbidden to charge money to teach Torah. Nevertheless, it is permitted to take money for teaching Torah based on other considerations, such as preparation time, disciplining children in the course of changing, teaching secular subjects in the course of teaching Torah or making money for teaching based on “sechar batalah” which is payment for the amount of money he could have earned if he was not teaching.
SOURCES: Sanhedrin 59a; Lechem Mishna, Kesef Mishna on Rambam Melachim 10:9; Tosfos Bava Kama 38a; Tosfos Chagiga 13a; Bechorot 29a, Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 246:5