Giving Gifts to Non-Jews

From Halachipedia

Source

  1. One is forbidden to give a free gift to a non-Jew.[1]
    1. Some explain that this by all non-Jews except for a ger toshav.[2]
    2. Others explain that this only applies to idolaters[3]
  2. One is permitted to accept a gift from a non-Jew.[4]

Exceptions

  1. If you may receive something in return from the non-Jew, it is permissible to give gifts.[5]
  2. If you are giving a gift in order to maintain a peaceful environment, it is permissible.[6] Therefore, one may[7]:
    1. Give charity to a non-Jew.
    2. Visit a non-Jew who is ill.
    3. Bury and eulogize non-Jew.
    4. Comfort a non-Jewish mourner.

Sources

  1. Avoda Zara 20b quoting Devarim 7:2. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:11 C.M. 249:2
  2. Tosfos Avoda Zara 20a s.v. d'amar. Beis Yosef C.M. 249. Shach Y.D. 151:18. Sma C.M. 249:2 explains that a ger toshav is a person who accepts the sheva mitzvos bnei noach and we are therefore obligated to provide for him if he doesn't have and are allowed to give him gifts. However, one who doesn't abide by the sheva mitzvos can only be sold to
  3. Meiri Avoda Zara 20a and Sefer HaChinuch Mitzvah 426
  4. Yad Rama Bava Batra 6
  5. Taz Y.D. 151:8. Rosh Avoda Zara 1:19 explains that it is not a free gift, but an exchange, similar to a sale
  6. Shulchan Aruch C.M. 249:2
  7. Shulchan Aruch Y.D. 151:12