Devar/5768/Mishpatim
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They shall not dwell in thy land… (Ex 23:33)
So were we commanded not to allow even one idol worshipper to remain in our land, lest they make thee sin against Me, for thou wilt serve their gods--for they will be a snare unto thee. (ibid.)
There is no snare greater than this, therefore the Torah is strict. When we dwell together with those Gentiles who worship idols, we will come to be close the them not only in business -- but in clothing and behavior -- until we eventually come to intermarry with them and to lust after their gods.
The Rambam writes: None of these matters are in effect except during a time when the Jews are dispersed among the nations of the world, or during a time when the Gentiles are dominant. But during a time when the Jews are dominant over the Gentiles (in Israel), it is forbidden for us to allow an idol-worshipping Gentile to remain among us; even temporarily, or moving through for business, he shall not pass in our Land, unless he accepts upon himself the seven commandments which were commanded the offspring of Noah -- as the verse states, "they shall not dwell in thy land" (Ex 23:33), even temporarily. But if he accepted the seven commandments, then he is a "resident alien". And resident aliens are only accepted during a time when the Jubilee year is in effect; but when it is not, we only accept true converts (e.g. who accept all 613 commandments). (Laws of Idolatry 10:9)
When there is an Israeli leader who is not only Israeli but first and foremost a Jew -- who becomes wise and learns from our Torah and not only from the books of the Gentiles -- then we will reach the era where we will be able to successfully implement this commandment according to the Law, and we will no longer be embarrassed by our eyes seeing houses of idol worship in the streets of our Holy Land.
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