Question about Non Jewish people in Judaism?

Question

I just read this on Ask Moses http://www.askmoses.com/article.html?h=541&o=387 and wondered if it was widely accepted in Judaism. So to be a good Noahide you don't even need to believe in God, pray, or do good works? Just refrain from doing bad? And establish laws and courts, isn't that what the Jewish court the Sanhedrin is for?

"In fact, a non-Jew who studies and observes the Noahide Commandments is equal to the High Priest who enters the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.

These are the Seven Laws:

1. Not to worship idols.
2. Not to blaspheme.
3. Not to murder.
4. Not to steal.
5. Not to be involved in illicit sexual behavior (adultery, incest, homosexuality, etc.).
6. Not to eat the limb of a living creature [not to be cruel to animals].
7. To establish courts of justice to enforce these laws."

voice_of_reason - what are you talking about? That is implied in the "etc." part.

Answer 1

The Noachide Laws are derived from scripture, but are more fully expounded upon in the Oral Torah. When you ask if they "were widely accepted in Judaism", that's a tough question to answer. If you mean "are they accepted by most Jews today," the answer is no inasmuch as modern Jewish movements (e.g. the Reform Movement) are founded upon rejection of the Torah as divine and therefore binding. If the Jewish commandments for Jews aren't authoritative, why should Judaism's universal commandments be authoritative? If you mean "was widely accepted" in the sense of is "it a part of your tradition, and do religiously observant Jews recognize them?" the answer is: yes, absolutely! Torah Jews believe that the Torah itself (not counting thousands of years of rabbinic enactments which are binding for various reasons, including a biblical commandment that gives our sages authority to establish laws within a Torah framework) gives 613 commandments to Jews and 7 commandments to non-Jews.

The idea is that the Jews are supposed to be a "light unto the nations," and by being held to a much higher standard of ethics, they're supposed to be an example worthy of following. Now, to answer some of your specific questions:

"So to be a good Noahide you don't even need to believe in God, pray, or do good works?"

Certain things are implied in the Noachide Covenant. Any G-d-fearing human being is going to want to do what is upright in His eyes. Anyone who doesn't worship false gods (the first law), and who doesn't curse G-d (the second law), specifically with the intent of keeping G-d's laws, such a person believes in G-d! As a Jew would say: It's pashut (it's obvious, it's self-evident)! As for prayer, it seems from these seven that it is not an obligation (though it may be included in commentaries explaining the laws, I'm not sure). However, it is for sure a praiseworthy behavior - and just because you aren't obligated to do something doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. For Jews, however, praying isn't simply a nice thing to do, it's an obligation that we keep in touch with G-d by "calling" Him thrice daily. G-d is like the ultimate Jewish mother.

As for good works, I guess that's not *technically* an obligation. However, the establishment of courts of justice and enforcing the Law is a positive commandment, and therefore constitutes a type of good work. In addition, one who is stringent in observance of the laws should go above and beyond. Not to steal is a good place to start. To help the needy, is even better. Not to blaspheme is a good place to start. To sanctify the name of G-d in any way possible is even better. You get the idea. As long as you don't violate any other Torah laws, you're probably on the right track. And of course, for a non-Jew who wants that special relationship that the Jew has with his Creator, with all the blessings and all the (heavy) responsibilities that come with it, well, they can accept the Torah and convert, becoming Jews themselves.

Another point worth mentioning:

"And establish laws and courts, isn't that what the Jewish court the Sanhedrin is for?"

First of all, there is currently no Sanhedrin. With the coming of the Messiah, may it be speedily and in our days, it will, G-d willing, be re-established. That being said, I believe the seventh Noachide Commandment can be fulfilled even today, when commandments requiring an active Sanhedrin cannot. Also, I do not believe that the Sanhedrin was ever tasked with running the affairs of the entire world. The Sanhedrin was basically the Jewish Supreme Court. It was created to decide matters of Jewish law, and to try high profile cases among Jews. The non-Jewish nations are required to govern themselves, and in a perfect world, they would govern themselves in accordance with Noachide Law.

Does following the Noachide Laws in exchange for getting on G-d's good side sound like a sweet deal? That's because it is! Even the 613 mitzvot that comprise the core of Jewish Law, are a small price to pay for divine favor. That being said, the seven laws are more difficult to keep than they sound, and keeping them is a very serious responsibility. What's more, the ideal is for people to keep them specifically because they are G-d's laws. Many authorities hold that Islam is a valid Noachide religion because it is purely monotheistic religion with a well-established concept of justice (even if it's concept of mercy is found to be wanting). Christianity, with its doctrine of the Trinity, is a bit more complicated, still, you might be able to find a liberal opinion that holds it is a valid Noachide religion.

Again, the laws sound fairly simple, but I bet you'd have a hard time finding a society that considered them laws, let alone that kept the laws!

Also, I've heard it said (have not seen it in the text for myself) that violation of any of the Noachide Laws by a non-Jew is considered a capital offense (of course, they are generally not enforced today, though in some places the death penalty is meted out for crimes like murder and rape, which fall under the thirds and fifth laws). I guess that's a penalty that would require the Sanhedrin as you mention earlier, but perhaps this is when a non-Jew living in the Land of Israel commits an offense. So, there are fewer laws for gentiles than for Jews, but the punishment for breaking any one law can be more severe (though certain laws, when violated by Jews, also incur capital punishment).

It's a very complex subject, but the short answer to your original question is yes, in Judaism, the Noachide Laws are the proper path for a non-Jew to establish a relationship with G-d. They aren't the end, but they are a start, and the foundation upon which everything else must be built. I hope this helps, and if you have any further questions on Judaism, Jews, B'nei Noach, or the the role of non-Jews in Judaism, feel free to contact me directly.

Answer 2

You may not be a secular Jew and still be a religious Jew. It happens all the time. Just as there are secular Jews who believe Jesus was the Messiah.

They Jews believe that obedience to the law is the means by which they are approved by God. However Paul said that no one can keep all the law all the time, and if they break one part of the law they are found guilty of breaking all of it.

That is one of the reasons that Jews put so much emphasis on the law.

The command not to worship idols, is a command to not worship any OTHER gods.
The command not to blaspheme is a command to not blaspheme God.
The command not to murder, is a command to honor God's creation.
The command not to steal is a command to respect your neighbor.
The command not to be involved in illicit sexual behavior has to do with respecting both your neighbor and family.
The command not to eat a part of a living creature is a command to honor God's creation.
Since the beginning of the Jewish relationship with God there have been courts to punish men who violate these laws.

Jesus put it much more simply and did not establish courts to force compliance. He said to love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

grace2u

Answer 3

as an orthodox jew i will answer your question to the best of my knowledge, and luckily for you i know this subject well. It is true for non-jews all they have to do is follow those 7 laws, and they will reek benefits equal or ALMOST equal to an observant jew. I would not go as far as being equal to the high priest, but who really knows how god thinks of someone. the point is you follow those commandments you live a happy eternal life. now those 7 laws are not as simple as they look, and have subcategories. For instance , do not steal MIGHT mean do not steal money, time(by wasting someones time, or even sleep.). or it can simply mean do not steal money. Not to worship idols MIGHT mean you have to recognize g-d also, you would have to do more research on the intricacies of those laws.
but yes, you follow those 7 (pretty easy, i guess) laws and in the eyes of Judiasm you are set for the afterlife

Answer 4

The punishment is a direct result of having taken the action. For example, if you jump off a 30 story building you are killed not because you are or are not an evil person, you are killed because of the laws of physics. Well the same thing holds true when you break laws of morality. If you steal, you become a thief. If you murder, you become a murderer. You cannot be an honest just man if you steal. That is the punishment. We have no knowledge of what happens in the next life. Maybe the punishment will be that you fully realize how you wasted this one. But we do not know nor pretend to know and do not believe it is a wise use of the time we have been given in this world to postulate about what happens in the next.

Answer 5

Well homosexuality is not a sin it's just a lifestyle and I guess they don't expect us all to establish courts like in number 7, we can probably just be supportive. If these guys are right, I may actually get into heaven! SCORE

Answer 6

It is a pretty strange outgrowth from the true faith of Abraham. Abraham wasn't a Jew, though he was a Hebrew. While he is the father of the faithful, he wouldn't be accepted today in the faith. (See Gen 18:8)

Answer 7

Never heard of this. Simply to refrain is not the same as obedience. There are even sins of omission: to not do something you know you should have done (ie, like praying and not doing it when you should have!).

Answer 8

No doubt belief in god is presupposed as a starting point or the laws would have no meaning to begin with.

Answer 9

According to the Talmud, the gentile or "Goy" is a beast of burden created in human form to serve unto the Jew.

Answer 10

Yes, it is widely accepted.