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Noahide Torah Study
#11
Joachim ben Noach Wrote:1) You have recommended Chumashim with selected commentaries. Thank you. Is it understood that one may also learn selected commentaries on the other books of Tanakh?

The Artscroll "Stone Edition" Tanach (Hebrew/English or English only) has short selected explanations throughout the volume, and that is one of our recommended books.

Also recommended are Rashi's explanations on the entire Tanach. The complete Tanach with Rashi's verse-by-verse explanations is available freely on-line:

http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/...-Rashi.htm

Joachim ben Noach Wrote:2) One may only learn p'shat level commentary. Does this refer only to the actual texts of classic commentary?
There are many fine lectures found on the internet teaching Tanakh, that blend simple, allegorical, mystical, philosophical, historical and so on teachings in a smooth, comprehensive understanding of the sacred scriptures. Are such lectures permissible?

Simple and historical lectures are certainly OK. Of course you need to be concerned about the accuracy, reliability and "spin" of the material that is presented in on-line lectures. In general, as long as the lecture material is not too in-depth or kabbalistic, it's OK for Noahides to listen in to an oral lecture, without going to the actual texts for more in-depth investigative study.

Joachim ben Noach Wrote:3) What about teachings on self improvement, science, history, and other topics suggested for Noahides, that bring out deeper meanings of one or more verses? (For "The Divine Code" lists the specific verses Gentiles may delve into.)

Yes, that is OK, since those topics are not delving into the Oral Torah. See for example our recommended books in all of those categories, at

https://asknoah.org/books

Joachim ben Noach Wrote:Thank you for your many answers, and for your time.

You're welcome!
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#12
Faithful1 Wrote:1. I was once registered to begin receiving classes on this site, but stopped taking them. May I be registered and take them again?

Please send your request as a private forum message or an email to the web-site address. You will need to provide an email address.

Faithful1 Wrote:2. What if, as a non-Jew/non-Noahide, an individual exploring Judaism bumps into Midrashic/Aggadic material he/she already understands or whose meaning is explained by the author of the particular work in question? Would that individual still be forbidden to read those same works as a Noahide Chassid? I'd appreciate some help on this.

If the Midrashic/Aggadic material is only mentioned by the author in passing, and as another brief explanation for understanding the simple meaning of the Hebrew Scriptures, that is OK. But if the source is teaching it in-depth as a subject on its own, for example focussing on and providing explanations and commentary on the original Midrash or Talmud source text, it should be avoided by Gentiles.
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#13
Dr. Michael wrote: "You could create your own schedule for completing the entire Tanakh (the 24 Books of the Hebrew Bible) every 3 years, every year, etc., or even every month."
Question: Do you know of any sites where you can find a reading schedule that has already been put together?

Dr. Michael wrote: "To understand the correct "simple meaning" of the text, one may refer to the classic explanations by Rashi."
Question: Where can we find a copy of this?
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#14
Finch Wrote:Dr. Michael wrote: "You could create your own schedule for completing the entire Tanakh (the 24 Books of the Hebrew Bible) every 3 years, every year, etc., or even every month."
Question: Do you know of any sites where you can find a reading schedule that has already been put together?

I don't know of any established schedule for completing the entire Tanakh. If this is something you'd like to do, my recommendation is to obtain a reliable Orthodox-Jewish English translation of the Tanakh, such as the Artscroll Stone Edition, and make a flexible schedule for yourself with a goal to read a certain number of pages per day, or per week: http://www.artscroll.com/Books/stgs.html

Finch Wrote:Dr. Michael wrote: "To understand the correct "simple meaning" of the text, one may refer to the classic explanations by Rashi."
Question: Where can we find a copy of this?

There is an edition from Judaica Press posted on line: http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/...-Rashi.htm

Overall, I think the Artscroll Stone Edition Tanach has the better English translation of the Hebrew Bible verses, and it follows the meaning as explained by Rashi very well.
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#15
Dear Rabbis and Director,

I'm not sure if I've clearly understood rabbi Weiner's explanations in "The Divine Code" so let me ask:

May I study in Hebrew (or Aramaic) original sources containing discussions and reasoning on Noahide Laws? I mean Gemara with commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot (e.g. Sanhedrin 56a-60a) and Mishne Torah with commentaries of Kesef Mishne etc. (Hilchot Melachim 8-10)? And what about those parts of these sources which don't pertain Noahide Laws directly but which are needed to fully understand them (Avoda Zara, Bava Kamma or Hilchot Avoda Zara)? May I study rabbi Weiner's "Sefer Mitzvot Ha-Shem" in Hebrew original?

In fact I've been writing doctoral thesis on Noahide Laws according to Rambam, in which I'm trying to understand his decisions, show and quote his sources (in original languages), and explain differences between halacha [Torah law] for Israel and for Gentiles? May I do this?
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#16
Benoach Wrote:May I study in Hebrew (or Aramaic) original sources containing discussions and reasoning on Noahide Laws? I mean Gemara with commentaries of Rashi and Tosafot (e.g. Sanhedrin 56a-60a) and Mishne Torah with commentaries of Kesef Mishne etc. (Hilchot Melachim 8-10)?

If you are an observant Noahide, you may study the parts of those sources that are referenced in the books by Rabbi Weiner on the Torah-Law details of the Noahide Code: "Sheva Mitzvot HaShem" and "The Divine Code."

Benoach Wrote:And what about those parts of these sources which don't pertain Noahide Laws directly but which are needed to fully understand them (Avoda Zara, Bava Kamma or Hilchot Avoda Zara)?

If there is a part of a Torah-based source that is needed to fully understand the Noahide Laws, then it does pertain to the Noahide Laws, and if you are an observant Noahide, you may study it. But if you are going into the Talmud or Kabbalah to study those parts, you should do it with the guidance and assistance of a reliable Torah scholar, to make sure that you are properly understanding the material.

Benoach Wrote:May I study rabbi Weiner's "Sefer Mitzvot Ha-Shem" in Hebrew original?

Yes. But it deals with abstract issues as well as practical issues, so it is recommended to have assistance from a Torah scholar if you are going to be going through the abstract issues.

Benoach Wrote:In fact I've been writing doctoral thesis on Noahide Laws according to Rambam, in which I'm trying to understand his decisions, show and quote his sources (in original languages), and explain differences between halacha [Torah law] for Israel and for Gentiles? May I do this?

In regard to the halacha for Gentiles, this has been covered comprehensively for the first time by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, in "Sheva Mitzvot HaShem" and "The Divine Code." So those should be your main sources for researching and understanding the subject. If you are trying to understand and compare the halacha for Jews, I highly recommend that you seek more Rabbinical guidance on that part of your project. And that certainly would involve delving into areas of Torah that do not pertain to the Noahide Laws.
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#17
A list of the permissible classical Rabbinical sources is presented in "The Divine Code," Part I, ch. 5. Furthermore, as part of researching and understanding the Noahide Code, an observant Noahide can look up any of the specific citations in the footnotes throughout the book (hundreds of works are cited).

A listing of recommended books for Noahides that is appropriate for access by the general public is available at https://asknoah.org/books.
Many of those are listed there with links to Internet pages where the entire book can be read on-line with free access.

Individual requests from observant Noahides for additional information on permissible classical Rabbinical sources should be sent to the Director of AskNoah, using the web forum or the email address posted on https://asknoah.org/contactus
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#18
Hello, Thank you for reading my question.
My understanding is that The Light of the Nations, has the right to share Torah with the Nations.
My question is can a Noahide that wants to read Bereishit (Genesis) on video allowed?
I know a Noahide can share the Seven Laws of Noah with anyone.
My understanding is that a Noahide can read Bereishit, does this allow the Noahide to spread the good word?
Thank you for your time.
-Sarah Thomas.
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#19
Greetings Sarah! I assume that you're asking if it is OK for a video to be made of a Noahide reading from the Book of Genesis, with the video then being shared with other Gentiles, and even being posted on-line for open public viewing. I'm also assuming that your intention is that the Noahide would be reading the straight text of the scriptural verses, without adding any commentary or explanations. (If any of that is not what you have in mind, please let me know!)

In answer to that specific scenario: yes, the Noahide may do this if he/she is reading from the text of a translation published by a reliable Orthodox Jewish publishing company - for example, the text of the "Stone Edition" of the Tanach (full Hebrew Bible) from Artscroll publishers, in English:

Full Hebrew Bible: https://asknoah.org/books/artscroll-hebr...e-complete

If you had in mind some language(s) other than English, we have recommended some specific reliable, Orthodox Jewish translations of the Hebrew Bible in -

Arabic: https://asknoah.org/books/torah-in-moder...ary-arabic

German: https://asknoah.org/books/german-hebrew-...nded-books

Russian: https://asknoah.org/books/russian-other-...nded-books

Spanish: https://asknoah.org/books/recommended-spanish
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#20
Is this website OK to use:
http://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/...-Rashi.htm

"without adding any commentary or explanations."
and for example IF, I said,

Bereishit chapter 9, verse 23:
"And Shem and Japheth took a garment,
and laid it upon both their shoulders,
and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father;
and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness."
This is surely an act of Modesty.

I would be wrong in adding an explanation? So I wont say that.
Just focus on the living word if a Noahide would make any video regarding the Book of Bereishit.

Thank you.
-Sarah Thomas
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