The Noachide Laws

The Noachide Laws

This week's Torah portion is about Noah who built a life raft for humanity and the world. When the Almighty created the world, He had a plan for the creation of the Jewish people and their acceptance to fulfil all of the commandments of the Torah -- to be a light unto the nations. The Jewish people were both chosen and chose to accept this role.

What about the rest of humanity? The plan set forth 7 commandments called the 7 Noachide Commandments, also known as the 7 Universal Commandments as the pathway for all of humanity to live harmoniously and in peace and to reach their spiritual potential having a close relationship with the Almighty.

The Talmud teaches that the laws were actually given to Adam and Chava (Eve) the first day (Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry, chapter 9, law 1). They were reaffirmed after the flood to Noah ("As for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your seed after you" -- Genesis 9:8) and were an intrinsic part of the Divine Revelation on Mt. Sinai.

The reason they are called the 7 Laws of the Children of Noah or 7 Noachide Commandments --- because after the flood EVERYONE is a descendant of Noah.
Jewish history is filled with other nations telling us to convert to their religion and all will be well. However, there was usually a caveat "or else" that followed the "offer" to convert us. The Jewish people, however, always maintained that you don't have to be Jewish to have a portion in the World to Come.

If a non-Jew recognizes that there is a God Who commands all non-Jews to keep the 7 Noachide Commandments (which are categories for additional commandments) ... and he observes the commandments, he is guaranteed a place in the World to Come, Heaven. What are the 7 Noachide Commandments?

1. Do not murder. (Human life is sacred; it can only be taken with legal sanction)
2. Do not steal. (Respect the rights and property of others)
3. Do not worship false gods. (Only the Almighty is the Creator, Sustainer, Supervisor and can answer prayers)
4. Do not be sexually immoral. (wife of another man, male homosexuality, incest and bestial relations are out)
5. Do not eat the limb of an animal before it is killed. (Do not be cruel to animals)
6. Do not curse God. (Speech is unique to humans, using it to express ingratitude is wrong. Gossip, obscenity and lies are also forbidden under this commandment)
7. Set up courts and bring offenders to justice. (Society cannot exist in anarchy; due process is required).

Furthermore, there is an suggestion that the 7 colours of the rainbow refer to 7 Noachide Laws in verse "And God said, '... My bow I am placing in the cloud and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth'" [Gen. 9:12,13].
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