to a fascinating passage from Devarim Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Deuteronomy, that touches on this very dilemma and much more.

The verse that kicks it all off is from Deuteronomy 2:31: “The Lord said to me: See, I have begun delivering before you Siḥon and his land; begin taking possession of his land.” A seemingly straightforward instruction about conquering territory. But as is often the case in Jewish tradition, this is just the jumping-off point.

The rabbis of the Midrash, in their brilliant and often unexpected way, use this verse as a springboard to discuss a practical question: What happens if a person is walking home on Friday afternoon and darkness, and therefore Shabbat, begins to fall? What do they do with the money or valuables they're carrying?

The Sages teach that in such a situation, you can entrust your purse to a non-Jew. Why? Because, as Rabbi Levi explains, the descendants of Noah were only commanded regarding seven laws, the Sheva Mitzvot B’nei Noach, and Shabbat observance isn't one of them. It's a pragmatic solution based on differing obligations.

But then, Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina throws a curveball. He states that a non-Jew who observes Shabbat before converting to Judaism is actually liable to be put to death! This sounds harsh, doesn't it? What's going on here?

Rabbi Hiyya bar Abba, quoting Rabbi Yoḥanan, offers a powerful analogy. Imagine a king and a noblewoman engaged in intimate conversation. If someone barges in uninvited, wouldn't they be punished? Shabbat, he explains, is a sacred covenant, a conversation, “Between Me and the children of Israel,” as it says in Exodus 31:17. A non-Jew who hasn't entered into this covenant through conversion is, in a sense, intruding on something sacred. They are inserting themselves into a relationship that isn't theirs to begin with.

But wait, there’s more! The Rabbis then imagine Moses pleading before God. "Master of the Universe," Moses asks, "if non-Jews observe Shabbat, will You be pleased?" And God's response is striking. Even if they were to fulfill all the mitzvot, all the commandments in the Torah, God would still “topple them before you.” Where do we see this idea? Again, back to our original verse: “See, I have begun delivering before you.” God is already starting the process of giving Israel victory, regardless of what others might do.

What does this all mean? Is it a rejection of non-Jews? Absolutely not. Instead, it speaks to the unique relationship between God and the Jewish people, a relationship defined by covenant and commitment. It underscores the importance of observing the commandments within the framework of that covenant. It is a reminder that actions only have the intended effect when performed by those who are commanded.

So, the next time you find yourself rushing to beat the clock before Shabbat, remember this passage. Remember the balance between practical considerations and the deeper meaning of the day. Remember the unique and precious relationship that Shabbat represents.