A Hasid by any other name

BS"D

The Rambam calls the righteous Gentiles Hasidei Umot Ha-Olam, the non-Jewish Hassidim, the Pious of all mankind. Hassidim are known primarily by three traits 

    1. They value chesed over din (mercy over justice), 

    2. They do more than the law requires

    3. Their path is the path of tefillah (prayer and meditation). 

Chanina ben Dosa was one of the early Chassidim of the Mishnaic period. He meditated nine hours a day and prayed three hours a day, and he was on a much higher level than the great Talmidei Chachamim of his generation, who sat and learned day and night. His prayers were answered when theirs were not answered.

A Noahide Hassid is a non-Jew who has devoted himself to YHVH, our Father in heaven, and to the ways of the Torah, striving to love the L-rd our G-d with all your heart and all your soul and all your might. In order to achieve this lofty goal, a Hassid may (or must) learn any and every aspect of Torah that teaches Achdut Hashem, the Oneness of G-d. The only teachings that are clearly not required or recommended (and perhaps forbidden) is the Talmud, both the Babylonian and the Jerusalem Talmuds. The Talmud does not teach the Oneness of G-d, but focuses exclusively on the rabbinic view of existence and the performance of mitzvoth. It can lead a pious non-Jewish Hassid away from G-d, G-d forbid, and into the pits of politics and superstition. 

The pomegranates of Israel are larger than grapefruit, and they are matook, matook, very sweet. And why are they so big and sweet? Because they are part of the BS”D movement. B'syata D'Shamaya -- with the help of Heaven. Shabbat shalom.