Goyim

goy
'''goyish''' (adjective)
'''goyim''' (plural)

What Yinglishman does not know, use and enjoy ''goy''? Forms Rhyme respectively with "boy," "boyish," "doyen." The plural is pronounced GOY-im. The adjective is ''goyish'' (neuter), ''goyisher'' (masculine), or ''goyisheh'' (feminine). From the Hebrew: ''goy'': "nation." Biblical texts called the Hebrews a ''goy kadosh'': "a holy nation." {Link without Title}

It is important to note that the idea of respect for others, and the values of a pluralistic society, form an old, integral part of Judaism and Jewish tradition. The rabbis taught that all men are equal in the eyes of G-d—if they do the will of G-d: the Talmud says "Whether Jew or gentile, man or woman, rich or poor—according to a man's ''deeds'' does G-d's presence rest on him." {Link without Title}

Just as some gentiles use "Jew" as a contemptuous synonym for driving too shrewd and sly a bargain ("He tried to Jew the price down," is about as odious an idiom as I know), so some Jews use ''goy'' in a pejorative sense. Relentless persecution of Jews, century after century, in nation after nation, left a legacy of bitter sayings. {Link without Title} Experience made many Jews feel that gentiles are not gentle.

The plural, ''goyim'', was frequently used in ellipses—a shortened reference with words omitted: " nations [than we are ," therefore, non-Jews. In time, and by the well-known linguistic process of extension, a Jew who was not a practicing, religious Jew, was called a ''goy''.

''Goy'' is generally used to mean "Christian," but the name long precedes Christianity: the Hebrews considered Heathens , Pagans , Egyptians , Assyrians , Greeks , Romans —all, ''goyim''.

I must stress the fact that ''goy'' is not an invidious appellation. ''Goy'' means gentile—no more, no less. {Link without Title}
The Talmud contains important references to the righteous ''goyim'' who will have their share of "the world to come," and enjoins Jews to treat such people the way they treat Jews. One Talmudic reference instructs Jews that where both a Jew and a genitle are in peril, it is the moral obligation to rescue the gentile first.
Never let it be forgotten that the Talmud commands Jews to help the gentile no less than the Jew; to succor the poor ''goy'', to visit the gentile sick; to bury their dead. Leo Rosten , '' The Joys Of Yinglish '' (New York: 1989), pp. 205-206.

• Goy from Jewish Encyclopedia


• What does the word "goy" mean? from AskMoses.com


• Is "goyim" offensive? from soc.culture.jewish FAQ


• Goy from The KJV Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon