Eating With a Non-Jew

Question

Shalom aleichem Rabbi Lauffer. Thank you for answering my last question. It says here https://din.org.il/2012/01/04/%D7%90%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%A2%D7%9D-%D7%A0%D7%9B%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9F-%D7%90%D7%97%D7%93/ that “When we speak of a feast which either the non-Jew or the Jew arranges, it is forbidden according to all opinions to eat with the non-Jew at the same table. If each one sits at his own separate table, then if the feast is in the house of the non-Jew, the Jew cannot eat there but if it is in the Jew’s house, it is allowed as long as they do not eat at one table [and the majority of people are Jews].” First of all, is this the actual halacha, and if so, would a seder meal be considered a “mesibah” or “feast” for which it would be forbidden to eat at the same table with the non-Jew even if other Jews at the table make up the majority and it is at the house of the Jew? And would it make a difference if the non-Jew is a helper for one of the Jewish women at the seder? Thanks a lot.

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Answers

  1. The Halacha is referring to non-Jews who are invited to participate in the feast. It does not include a non-Jewish helper who is present in a professional capacity.

    I was a little surprised to see the reference to the Seder. According to the Babylonian Talmud, Beitzah 20b and 21b and the Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 512:1 we do not invite non-Jews to Festival meals.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team