Nazir

How do we know that [the laws of] defilement do not apply to them? — The verse says. But the man that shall be unclean and shall not purify himself that soul shall be cut off from the midst of the kahal [assembly],  referring to such as form a kahal and excluding [gentiles] who do not form a kahal. How does it follow [that the laws of defilement do not apply to gentiles]? Perhaps [all that is meant is that] he is not liable to kareth [excision],  but [the laws of] defilement do apply [to him]?  Scripture Says, And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean,  [teaching that] whoever can become clean,  becomes unclean, and whoever cannot become clean does not become unclean.7 But perhaps we may say that while [the laws of] purification do not apply to [gentiles], yet [the laws of] defilement do apply?  — Scripture says, But the man that shall be unclean and shall not purify himself. R. Aha b. Jacob said: [Naziriteship] is different,  for here there is a verse, And ye may make them an inheritance for your children after you.  [From this we learn that] to whomsoever [the laws of] inheritance [of slaves] apply, to him [the laws of] defilement apply, and to whomsoever [the laws of] inheritance [of slaves] do not apply, to him [the laws of] defilement do not apply. If that is the reason [that gentiles cannot become nazirites],  then slaves too should not be able [to become nazirites]?  — In point of fact, said Raba, [the following is the reason that gentiles are wholly excluded from naziriteship].  It is quite permissible in the case of 'Arakin [to argue thus:] when it says, 'the children  of Israel' [it implies that] Israelites can vow 'Arakin but not gentiles. I might go on to infer from this that [gentiles] cannot be the subject of 'Arakin vows either,  Scripture [therefore] says 'all'  [But you cannot similarly argue] here, [in the case of naziriteship as follows: The words 'children of Israel' imply that] Israelites can undertake nazirite — vows and bring the offering [due on terminating the naziriteship], but not gentiles.  I might go on to infer from this that [gentiles] cannot become nazirites at all. Scripture [therefore] says 'man'.  For I will say such an argument is inadmissable  since [the exclusion of gentiles] from [bringing the nazirite] offering is not inferred from this [verse], but from elsewhere, [as has been taught:] R. Jose, the Galilean said, [the verse] for a burnt-offering  serves to exclude [a gentile] from [bringing] the nazirite-offerings. Why not argue [as follows: The words 'children of Israel' imply that] Israelites can undertake life-naziriteships but not gentiles. I might go on to infer from this that [gentiles] cannot undertake [ordinary] nazirite-vows either,  Scripture [therefore] says 'man'?  R. Johanan replied: Is the life-nazirite mentioned [in Scripture]? Why not argue [as follows: The words children of Israel imply that] Israelites can impose nazirite-vows upon their children, but not gentiles. I might go on to infer from this that [gentiles] cannot become nazirites [at all]. Scripture [therefore] says 'man'?  But R. Johanan has said that this is a [traditional] ruling with regard to the nazirite! Why not argue [as follows: The words 'children of Israel' imply that] Israelites can poll [with the offerings due] for their father's nazirite-sacrifices,  but not gentiles.