The third section of the first chapter of the book "Brit Shalom", which we are studying, deals with the definition of who is referred to as "Bnei Noach" (Noahides).
We have already learned that someone who accepts the commandments of Bnei Noach before a court of three rabbis receives an additional status. This person is called a “Ger Toshav” (resident alien). This is mentioned in paragraph 7: "If he accepted the commandments before a court of three rabbis, he is called a Ger Toshav, and it is permitted to allow him to reside in the Land of Israel."
In other words, idol worshipers who do not accept upon themselves the minimum constitution of the seven commandments of Bnei Noach are, in principle, not permitted to settle among us in the Land of Israel. In contrast, someone who accepts the seven commandments lives among us as a citizen and receives full civic rights as a human being.
On what basis does a person accept the seven commandments? Is it because they believe in the Torah of Moses? Or because their reason and morality compel them to do so?
Here we have a distinction. In paragraph 8, it states: “If a person accepted the commandments because they recognize the truth of the Torah of Moses, as conveyed by the people of Israel, they are also called a “Chassid U'mot HaOlam” (Righteous Among the Nations). They have a share in the World to Come alongside Israel. In other words, they are seated, so to speak, in the same "department" of the World to Come as the people of Israel.
However, in paragraph 9, it is noted that "A person who fulfills the commandments not out of faith in the Torah, but as a rational necessity, with reason or morality compelling them, is called a “Chacham U'mot HaOlam” (Wise Among the Nations)."
This is a distinction between a Chassid (righteous person) and a Chacham (wise person). Some of our sages gave preference to the Chassid, while others gave preference to the Chacham.
