הלכה על דברים 1:18

There is, however, one early source that appears to contradict this conclusion, at least insofar as observance of Shabbat is concerned. Midrash Rabbah, Deuteronomy 1:18, states:

Support for Maharsha's position is found in the comments of Me'iri, Sanhedrin 59a. Me'iri states explicitly that it is permitted to give instruction to a prospective convert. Indeed, Me'iri goes beyond Maharsha's position and declares that a non-Jew is forbidden to study Torah only if he does not intend to apply what he has learned in practice. Me'iri is thus quite consistent in permitting Torah study on the part of a prospective convert. Teshuvot Erez Tovah, no. 2, sec. 3, finds evidence bolstering the position of Maharsha in a midrashic statement. Midrash Rabbah, Deut. 1:18, implies that although a non-Jew dare not observe the Sabbath he may do so with impunity once he has undertaken to convert even though he has not yet undergone the conversion ritual. [It may be noted that Tosafot Yeshanim, Yevamot 48b, opines that a non-Jew may observe the Sabbath under such circumstances.] Similarly, argues Erez Tovah, the prohibition against studying Torah does not apply to a non-Jew who has reached a decision to convert.²⁶Teshuvot Ben Yehudah asserts that even according to Maharsha a candidate for conversion may be taught Torah only if the prospective convert has made a definite decision to undergo conversion immediately but the Bet Din insists upon delay. If, however, the candidate is not prepared to convert immediately he may not be taught Torah, argues Teshuvot Ben Yehudah, for “perhaps he will not convert subsequently.”