PESACH AND NOAHIDES – CELEBRATING WITHOUT THE SEDER

בס "ד

UN PENSAMIENTO SOBRE PARSHAT BEHALOTECHA 5786

Learning from the Exodus without Celebrating the Seder

This blog was written for Passover 5786 y Parsha Behalotecha. In Parsha Behalotecha, among other topics, the obligations of a “stranger” (גר) during Passover are discussed, which gives rise to debate, especially in the Noahide community. Some wonder whether Noahides may or can participate in a Passover Seder.

The “Stranger” in the Torah

A commonly cited text is:

“And when a stranger who resides with you would offer a Passover sacrifice to G-D, it must be offered in accordance with the rules and rites of the Passover sacrifice. There shall be one law for you, whether stranger or citizen of the country.” (Numbers 9:14)

Some interpret this literally: a “stranger” could bring the Passover offering, so why shouldn’t non-Jews participate in a Seder?

Commentaries, however, emphasize that this does not refer to an arbitrary foreigner (ger toshav), but to a ger tsaddik, a convert who fully belongs to the Jewish people:

• Rashi on Numbers 9:14 explains that “ועשה פסח” means the ger must celebrate Passover at the proper time, just like the Israelites, indicating that the same law applies to both born Jews and converts. 
• Or HaChaim ibid similarly emphasizes that the Torah mentions the ger separately to prevent misunderstanding; even if he was not physically present at the Exodus, he must fully participate. 
• Ramban ibid stresses this point for Passover Sheni: a ger converting between two Passovers is obligated to observe the second Passover, but not the first, as he was not yet part of the nation. 

Conclusion: The Torah singles out the stranger to clarify potential confusion regarding obligations. It does no imply that any non-Jew may simply join Passover.

Challenges for Noahides Participating in a Seder

Even if a Noahide wishes to participate spiritually in a Seder with Jewish friends, there are practical halachic restrictions:

• Cooking on Yom Tov: It is forbidden to cook specifically for a non-Jew on Yom Tov. Therefore, one may not invite a non-Jew with the intent of cooking extra for them. If a non-Jew arrives without an invitation, it is permitted to feed them together with the Jews, since no intentional extra cooking was done. A servant or messenger present may also join the meal. Similarly, a Jew who bakes in a non-Jew’s oven may give them bread without specifying it beforehand, so it is not considered cooking for a non-Jew.¹
• Reciting the Haggadah: A Jew is obligated to recite the Haggadah themselves or listen to another Jew. If a non-Jew recites part of it, the Jew does not fulfill their obligation. Therefore, a non-Jew should politely decline if asked to recite.²
• It often happens that on Seder night there is uncooked wine on the table. Noahides are forbidden to pour this wine for a Jew and are advised to avoid touching it.³
• Blessings and rituals: During the Seder, there are special blessings for Jewish obligations. A Noahide may not recite these, as it would be a “blessing in vain.” Only general food blessings or a Noahide Grace After Meals are permitted. 

Examples of Jewish Seder blessings a Noahide may not say:

1. Hebreo: “ברוך אתה ה’… אשר קדשנו במצוותיו וצונו על אכילת מצה”
   English: “Blessed are You, Lord… who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the eating of matzah.” 
2. Hebreo: “ברוך אתה ה’… אשר קדשנו במצוותיו וצונו על סדר פסח”
   English: “Blessed are You, L-rd… who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the Seder of Pesach.” ⁴

Conclusion: Participation in a Seder is theoretically possible but practically complex and risky unless the Jewish host is fully aware of all halachic rules.

What Noahides Can Do

Noahides can spiritually learn from Passover without celebrating the Seder or performing Jewish-specific mitzvot:

• Faith in the One G-d: Acknowledge creation and believe in the one Creator. 
• Learning about liberation and trust: Passover demonstrates the Israelites’ faith and trust in G-d, offering inspiration for personal spiritual liberation. 
• Overcoming the inner “Pharaoh”: Reflect on negative traits and inner limitations through prayer, meditation, and self-improvement. 
• Moral and ethical deeds: Work on kindness and goodness so that the world balances merit and accountability (Rambam, Laws of Repentance 3:1). 
• Expectation of the Messiah: Passover reminds of future ultimate redemption and worldwide recognition of G-d’s sovereignty. ⁵
• Noahides are permitted to hold a holiday meal for themselves on Seder night in honor of the day the Israelites left Egypt. However, this should be done with the awareness that this is not an addition to the Noahides’ duties, but rather as a beautiful meal to mark the event and no as a religious commandment.

By embracing these perspectives, Noahides can engage spiritually with the themes of Passover without performing Jewish mitzvot.

Passover as Universal Inspiration

Passover is more than a historical memory; it is a guide for personal and universal transformation. It reminds us how to overcome our “inner Pharaoh”—our negative traits and limitations—through prayer and Torah study. The story of Moses and Aaron shows that both action (Torah) and elevation (prayer) are necessary for spiritual growth, and liberation begins with consciously working on one’s character.

Passover also carries a universal message: anyone can learn to trust in God, acknowledge His sovereignty, and cultivate obedience to His will. For Noahides, this means understanding and upholding the 7 leyes noájidas, spreading justice, goodness, and spiritual growth throughout the world.⁶

Conclusión

While Noahides may not celebrate a Jewish Passover Seder, they can embrace the spiritual lessons of the Exodus: faith, liberation, self-improvement, and preparation for the ultimate Messianic era. Passover serves as both a historical and universal source of inspiration, inviting personal and collective growth.

Por Angelique Sijbolts
Gracias al rabino Moshe Bernstein por sus comentarios.

Fuentes

1. Hagahot Maimoniyot, ch. 1; Rema; Mordechai, ch. 2 Beitzah; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 512; Kol Bo  ↩︎
2. Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 473:6; Mishnah Berurah 473:64; Talmud Bavli, Pesachim 116a ↩︎
3. Hilchot Ma’achalot Assurot, chapter 11 ↩︎
4. Halachic sources:
   Shulchan Aruch OC 472:2; Mishnah Berurah 472:14 – blessing over matzah 
   Shulchan Aruch OC 473:1; Mishnah Berurah 473:4–6 – blessing over the mitzvah of the Seder  ↩︎
5. Rabbi Moshe Weiner, Ask Noah International, Jerusalem, Israel, 2015–2024  ↩︎
6. Angelique Sijbolts, “PESACH: REDEMPTION THROUGH TORAH AND PRAYER,” 5744 Ma’amar: Hu-Aharon-Umoshe with feedback from Rabbi Tuvia Serber  ↩︎

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