Adding customs in worship of G-d, but not as a new religion

The prohibition called chidush da’as in Hebrew includes human innovation of new (post-Sinai) religious observances in the format of divine commandments. Rabbi Moshe Weiner explains that this applies even when it is directed to the worship of Hashem by righteous Gentiles. These are the “Noahides”, or in Hebrew, B’nai Noach, who observe the Seven Laws of Noah. (The word Hashem in Hebrew refers to the One True G-d.)

For a more complete explanation of this important topic, see The Divine Code, 4th Edition, by Rabbi Weiner. These topics are explained in Part I, Chapter 3: The Prohibition Against Making a New Religion or Adding a Commandment. See also Part II (The Prohibition of Idolatry), Chapter 6 (The Prohibition of Creating a New Religion).

The printed or ebook editions of The Divine Code, 4th Edition, by Rabbi Weiner are available through our web page and from Kehot or Amazon.com.