Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

The Noahide Faith

What more can the Noahide Code teach about murder?

Guarding the Sanctity of Human Life

The Meaning

The following is adapted from the Introduction by Dr. Michael Schulman to the section on the Prohibition of Murder and Injury, in “The Divine Code” Part V:

Human life is an unalienable right of every person, and a gift from G-d that He expects us to guard and respect. Mankind was created “in the image of G-d”, and therefore possesses a dimension of holiness. Taking a human life diminishes a measure of the Divine image that is present in the world. Without G-d’s permission, this is strictly forbidden. Furthermore. murder is an act of extreme rebellion against G-d Himself, Who blessed mankind “to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28), and “He did not create it for emptiness; He fashioned it to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18). Read more »

Share

Do the 7 Noahide Laws reflect the purpose of creation?

From Chapter 66 of “G’vurot HaShem,” Chapter 66, by Rabbi Yehudah Loew, the Maharal of Prague (1525-1609 C.E.). Translated and annotated by Rabbi Dr. Shimon Cowen [1], and presented here with permission. Original source: S. D. Cowen, “Perspectives on the Noahide Laws – Universal Ethics,” from the Appendix, pp. 96-117. © 20-03 Institute for Judaism and Civilization, Melbourne, Australia. Read more »

Share

What are Righteousness and Principles of Faith for Gentiles?

Here is a condensed answer, along with a short video of a talk by the Rebbe on this subject: Read more »

Share

Two Types of Obligations in the Noahide Code

A translation by Rabbi Yehoishophot Oliver of a talk given by the Lubavitcher Rebbe,[1] which is included as Part VIII in the book To Perfect the World: The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Call to Teach the Noahide Code to All Mankind (pub. SIE, 20’16, and copyright © by Rabbi Y. Oliver and Ask Noah International).

At the outset of the Laws of the Nazirite,[2] Rambam defines the nazirite vow: “The nazirite vow is one of the types of vows involving prohibitions.”[3] He goes on to explain the details of the obligations involved, the positive and the prohibitive mitzvos, and so on. In the second chapter, he continues, “The nazirite vow does not apply to Gentiles, as it is written about this,[4] ‘Speak to the children of Israel.’ ” A literal reading of this would imply that Gentiles are not obligated at all to fulfill an oath not to partake of products of the grape vine. […]

However, upon further analysis, it is untenable to suggest that Rambam means to instruct a Gentile to profane his word and fail to keep his oath. Rather, his intent is that [although the Gentile must indeed keep his oath], he does not have the status of a nazirite as the Torah defines it, as will be explained below. Read more »

Share

Is there any prayer or ceremony for becoming a Noahide?

There is no ceremony or specific prayer necessary. It only depends on your decision, by learning G-d’s commandments of the Noahide Code, and living in that righteous path.

Here is the explanation from Rambam (Maimonides), who was one of the greatest Torah Sages, about the meaning of a “righteous Gentile” [emphasis and text in brackets added for clarity]:

Any Gentile who accepts the seven commandments and is careful to observe them is of the “pious of the nations of the world” and will have a portion in the World to Come. This is so provided that one accepts them and observes them because the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded them in the Torah and informed us through Moses our teacher that the descendants of Noah were originally commanded about them.

But if one observes them only by virtue of common sense [separating them from their connection with G-d], he is not a “Ger Toshav” [a Hebrew Biblical term identified with one who takes on the Noahide Code], or one of the “pious of the nations of the world,” [in today’s language, an “observant Noahide”] but rather, [merely] one of their wise people.

[From Rambam, Laws of Kings 8:11. ]

Share

Are any Jewish holidays off-limits to Noahides?

QUESTION: I was wondering if there are any Jewish holidays that are “off limits” to Noahides, or are we able to celebrate them all? I read on the Internet that Noahides can celebrate Passover, not in the Jewish way, but with some changes. Is this true? And if it is, how can I celebrate it?

ANSWER: The guidelines for Noahides regarding Torah or non-Torah holidays are explained in the chapter on the prohibition of making a new religion or adding a commandment, in “The Divine Code.” Please also see our Forum thread on “Optional Observances for Noahides” and our web page https//asknoah.org/essay/noahide-holidays

Share

Do Noahides celebrate secular holidays?

QUESTION: Do Noahides celebrate secular holidays (for example U.S. Independence Day, Labor Day, Canada Day, etc.)?

ANSWER: Celebrating secular activities and commemorating historical events, even if they involve a festive meal, are permissible for Noahides – for example, the Independence Day of your own country, such as July 4th in the U.S.

It is also permissible for Noahides to participate in nationally designated days which can be observed as a reminder and encouragement to praise and give thanks to the One True G-d. Examples in the U.S. are Thanksgiving Day and the National Day of Prayer.

The same applies to observance of days that are designated by one’s nation to strengthen logically incumbent precepts or to improve the settled nature of the society, such as honoring parents on Mothers Day and Fathers Day, or national days for doing acts of charity, goodness and kindness, or Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.

This also includes days to honor national heroes, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day or Presidents’ Day in the U.S.

Similarly, this also includes days like an Arbor Day to highlight environmental responsibility, if it’s done properly (but not as an idolatrous concept of worshiping the earth, or making environmentalism into a religion or a radical movement).

Of course, national holiday observances that are connected with idolatry should not be celebrated.

For our MP3 audio clip on celebration of secular and Jewish holidays, CLICK HERE.

Share

When did the 7 Laws become Torah Law at Sinai?

Timeline of G-d’s re-affirming the Noahide Commandments at Mount Sinai, where He commanded them with specific details as part of the eternal Torah of Moses: Read more »

Share

How Are Abortion and Euthanasia Classified in the Noahide Code?

 The following explanation of the Noahide prohibition of murder, including the precepts related to abortion and euthanasia are excerpted and based on Part V of The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem:

 

1.  A Gentile is forbidden to commit murder or bloodshed, and would be liable for this as a capital sin,[1] as G-d commanded Noah,[2] “But your blood of your souls I will demand; of every beast I will demand it; but of man (adam), of man for his brother, I will demand the soul of man (adam). Whoever sheds the blood of man (adam), by man (adam) his blood shall be shed; for in the image of G-d He made man (adam).” Read more »

Share

How can I be a Noahide / Righteous Gentile?

––To read this page in German, CLICK HERE

Considering all the spiritual gain that will be achieved by becoming a Righteous Gentile who follows the Seven Laws of Noah (the “Noahide Code”), many people are anxious to embark on this path. But how would you get started?

There are two sets of Divine Commandments – one set for Gentiles, and another set for Jews. Therefore, you must first know the answer to the question, “What am I?” If you are a Gentile (i.e., born to a Gentile mother, and not converted by the traditional Torah-Law procedure to become a Jew), you are ready to get started.[1] Read more »

Share

What is the lesson of the 10 Plagues in Egypt?

For translation of this page in Portuguese, click here: https://asknoah.org/essay/mensagem-das-dez-pragas

The Complete Unity and Unlimited Power of G-d

by Rabbi Moshe Weiner

author of: “Sheva Mitzvot HaShem”, “The Divine Code”, “Seven Gates of Righteous Knowledge”

 The Passover Haggadah text states about the Exodus from Egypt:

“The Holy One, blessed be He, did it in His glory by Himself! Thus it is said: ‘In that night I will pass through the land of Egypt, and I will smite every first-born … I, G-d.’ [Meaning] I and not an angel, I and not a seraph, I and not a messenger; … it is I, and no other!”

A mistaken belief

The mistaken concept of sheetuf (a “partner” with G-d) is the idea that there is an independent creation or being (for example, an angel) that functions independently of G-d.
Read more »

Share

Who is authorized to ordain Noahide judges?

Question 1: I have a question about the idea of ordaining someone as a “Noahide Judge” (“Dayan” in Hebrew). This would imply that the person is being certified and authorized to serve as a judge presiding over a court. Who has authority to validly bestow such ordinations?

Question 2: Can there be such a thing a “Noahide Court” in the present condition of the world?

Answer 1: First of all, I think it’s wonderful that faithful Noahides study the Torah laws of the Noahide Code. They have the possibility to become Torah scholars in the details of their Seven Commandments. This makes them worthy of honor as a Jewish High Priest (Kohen Gadol) who served in the Holy Temple. We find this stated in Tractate Sanhedrin 59a.

However, within the Torah laws for the Noahide commandment of Dinim (establishment of laws and courts), it seems that such an idea – to offer a program for Gentiles that results in their ordination as “Noahide Judges” – could only be valid if it is implemented within the established legal system of a society’s ruling government. (See also the video by Rabbi Moshe Weiner at the end of this article.) Read more »

Share

Are the Noahide Commandments the same as “Natural Laws”?

Question from a radio talk-show host: I’ve always thought that Noahic Covenant theology was the equivalent of Natural Law theory. Isn’t it why we should be united in affirming the U.S. Declaration of Independence, because ethical monotheism is shared ground?

Answer: We cannot say that the Noahide Commandments were derived intellectually from human observations of the functioning of the natural order. Not even with the understanding that nature was created by G-d according to His wisdom, with G-dliness invested within it. The first six of the Noahide Commandments were given directly by G-d to Adam in the Garden of Eden. This happened on the day Adam was created, before he ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil! In such a state of perfection, what was the need for a set of commandments? Read more »

Share

What if you break a Noahide Law and don’t repent?

Here is some information about this from the book The Divine Code, 4th Edition:

“Any Gentile who recognizes the existence of the One True G-d, and accepts upon himself the yoke of the G-d’s Kingship and the responsibility to keep the Seven Noahide Commandments from the Torah of Moses, will merit to be resurrected to receive a portion in the future World to Come. This person has elevated himself to become a Pious Gentile (a Hassid).” Read more »

Share

Can I accept the 7 Laws without Orthodox Rabbinic authority?

That would certainly be a first step in the right direction. You would be connecting with the 7 Commandments that are incumbent on you as one of the Children of Noah. But it would be an incomplete connection and acceptance. At this level, a person might still mistakenly transgress in some ways. Read more »

Share