Head covering for women

Question

It's known that for a gentile to perform the mitzvot commanded for the Jews is a sin; but modesty is a law for all the nations. So is a female gentile allowed to cover her hair?

I'd assume its ok. First of all, covering hair isn't clearly a Biblical law (neither is the amount that needs to be covered). Second, modesty is logical thing to have, so it should be ok. Third, a non-Jew can do many mitzvoth for their own benefit, as long as they don't do it with the exact details Jews do it or if they don't do it as a religious obligation (but rather as a voluntary service). The last 2 points are based on The Divine Code (by Rabbi Moshe Weiner) Chapter 3: Fundamentals of Faith. — Emet v'Shalom, Jun 01 '15 at 01:15
An additional consideration is when Jews live among Gentiles. In that case it is preferable for the gentiles to dress modestly to protect Jewish men from sin. On a side note, it is humiliating to our glorious people that many Jewish women, in Jerusalem (and other parts of Israel) today, dress immodestly, whereas the Muslim women are dressed appropriately. — Emet v'Shalom, Jun 01 '15 at 02:56
"but modesty is a law for all the nations" How do you know this? — Double AA, Jun 05 '15 at 03:46

Loewian · Answer 1 · 2015-06-01T21:52:37.043

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There are only two commandments that are clearly forbidden to gentiles, namely, Sabbath and Torah-study. Most (if not all) other commandments are not only permitted, but meritorious (see, e.g., Sanhedrin 48b; Maimonides Laws of Kings 10:10). Hair covering, as an act of modesty, would be no more a Jew-specific commandment than covering any other part of the body that would be considered immodest if left exposed.

edited Jun 01 '15 at 21:52

answered May 31 '15 at 23:40

Loewian

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Not sure of this answer... Can they wear tefilin? Keep pesach? Bring a non-olah? Pretty sure that's a no for all three... – Isaac Kotlicky Jun 01 '15 at 04:33
@IsaacKotlicky Fair enough (though I think some of those might be more mitzad the Jews involved, not specifically a prohibition on the gentile). Edited accordingly. – Loewian Jun 01 '15 at 04:39
@IsaacKotlicky Why can't they wear tefillin or keep pesach (sans korbanot)? – Double AA Jun 01 '15 at 04:56
@DoubleAA why can't they keep shabbos or learn Torah? Those aren't explicitly prohibited in the text... – Isaac Kotlicky Jun 01 '15 at 04:58
@IsaacKotlicky I don't know what text you refer to but yes they are explicitly prohibited in the Gemara and Rambam. – Double AA Jun 01 '15 at 05:01
@DoubleAA correct. The gemara prohibited it based upon what? It's a drash from what principles (rather than explicitly in a possuk)? – Isaac Kotlicky Jun 01 '15 at 05:14
@IsaacKotlicky I don't know what you are getting at. – Double AA Jun 01 '15 at 21:49

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 01 '15 at 08:02

One of the 7 Noahide Laws to which any gentile is obligated is to establish courts/legal system to ensure law and obedience (it is the 7th according to the Rambam). Thus a gentile in a Muslim state that acts according to their set of laws including head covering in such and such manner would be obligatory for the weman of that state.

Head covering for women

2 Answers2