Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Noahide Mourning

Does Torah have Universal Lessons on Death and Mourning?

Source*: A Sicha (Chassidic Talk) by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson

There are matters in Torah which belong in the category of “creating a settled world.” These matters existed before the giving of the Torah, and therefore also before the separation between Israel and the other nations existed. It is understood that these matters apply also to B’nai Noach [the Children of Noah, i.e. Gentiles/Non-Jews], even though they aren’t openly spoken about in the part of the Torah which speaks about the Seven Noahide Laws. Read more »

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What can Noahides do for souls of loved ones who passed away

The following account of an answer from the Rebbe is published by Sichos in English. It is presented here with their permission. Read more »

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Marking an anniversary of a relative’s passing

The Anniversary of a Relative’s Passing Should Inspire a Person to Self-improvement

The following translated excerpt from a talk[1] by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, is reprinted here from the book To Perfect the World: The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Call to Teach the Noahide Code to All Mankind with the permision of the publisher, Sichos In English.

Everyone is obligated to strive to civilize the world and bring it to be apparent in the world that “He [G-d] formed it to be settled.”[2]

Even children can comprehend this, and it can be explained to Gentiles of any nation. It can certainly be explained to [citizens of] nations that behave in a manner of goodness and kindness, Read more »

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Do miscarried babies have souls? What happens to them?

Question: We lost our unborn baby, and now we are very sad about this. In regard to such small unborn babies, do they already have a soul given from G-d? And what happens to them after they died? Is there a possibility to say a special prayer to say goodbye to our baby?

Answer: Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. All of the questions you asked are important and fundamental issues:

Do unborn babies already have a soul given from G-d?

The investment of a soul from the spiritual realm into the body it is assigned to by G-d is a step by step process. It does not happen all at once. Even at birth, the process is not yet 100% complete. Read more »

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How should Noahides mourn for deceased relatives or friends?

It is important to set limits in intensity and length of time for mourning. Even before the Flood, there was a tradition of observing seven days of mourning. In Genesis 7:4, G-d told Noah, “For in another seven days’ time I will send rain upon the earth…” Rashi explains this verse based on the Midrash, as follows.

These are the seven days of mourning for the righteous Methuselah. For the Holy One, Blessed is He, spared his dignity and delayed the punishments. [This refers to the Flood, so that the generation’s mourning for Methuselah could be properly expressed.] Go and calculate the years of Methuselah. You will find that they end in the six hundredth year of the life of Noah. [That is when the Flood came].

The following suggestions for funeral and memorial services were provided to Ask Noah International by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet o.b.m.: Read more »

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What is the proper burial process for Noahides?

Advice from Rabbi B. Friedman

Rabbi B. Friedman in Kansas has been teaching a group of Noahides for many years. In working with his group he has indeed taken the time to research this subject. He answered us very briefly on the points below regarding death and burial:

(a) What can a Noachide expect – may or can a Rabbi perform a burial ceremony for a Noahide? Read more »

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What symbol should Noahides use on tombstones?

Ask Noah forwarded this question to our friend Rabbi Shimon Cowen in Melbourne, Australia. Here is his response, which is his own opinion on this non-binding issue: Read more »

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Are organ donations allowed within the Noahide Commandments?

Gentiles are not commanded that they must be buried in the earth. Therefore, it is permissible for a Gentile to plan for donation of organs after his or her passing. Since they have this option, Read more »

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