Regarding the question about public debates with idol worshipers: "there are numerous debates on record (some very current) between some Rabbis n xtian apologists, yet we learn it's forbidden"
The Divine Code ruled on Chapter 2:5:
"It is forbidden to arrange a discussion or a debate with one who
prophesies in the name of idols (or with one who prophesies in the
name of God to serve idols; both have the same status as a false
prophet), and he should not be asked to perform a sign or a miracle. If
he makes a sign or a miracle on his own, one must not pay attention to it or think about it. Anyone who thinks about these so-called miracles,
debating if they are true, is a sinner, since the false prophet obviously
denies a foundational principle upon which everything in Torah
depends, as it says,39 “If a prophet or dreamer of a dream shall arise
among you, and he will give you a sign or wonder, and the sign or the
wonder comes about, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us follow
other gods, … and we shall serve them!’ – do not hearken to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of a dream ...”.
This does not apply if an expert who can save people that could be miss leaded, is arguing publicly with idol worshipers. There are a few rabbis who are really experts, and their arguments might possibly remove a stumbling block before those who are still spiritually "blind". Since not everyone is an expert in general, it would be better not to get into public arguments with them but rather focus on positive action ragarding the 7 Noahide laws.