Noachides

[Antibush5]

I used to want to be an orthodox jew, I studied hard (too have come so far, yet to fall, right?) but during my studies, I had to be a noachide, before I could ask my rabbi, he moved away. So what practices can a noachide do and what cant they do?

 

[Dena]

There are some legitimate websites for Noachides. If you have Chabad in your town they can sometimes direct you to those who deal with Noachides.

Noahide.org - Home Page

Noachide.org.uk - The Bnai Noach of the UK

7 Questions: The Noachide

 

[Zardoz]

Other than the specific commandments given only to the Jews, quite a bit.
In fact, Noachides can do things Jews can't! (such as offer sacrifices)

Here's the free ebook of The Path of the Righteous Gentile:

Jewish Messiah, Moshiach/Mashiach - Introduction to the Noahide Laws

 

[David_2010]

Other than the specific commandments given only to the Jews, quite a bit.
In fact, Noachides can do things Jews can't! (such as offer sacrifices)

Here's the free ebook of The Path of the Righteous Gentile:

Jewish Messiah, Moshiach/Mashiach - Introduction to the Noahide Laws

Thanks for that free ebook, it looks interesting.

I have a question about Noachides, and, I hope it's ok to ask in this thread (if not please feel free to seperate this into another thread, and sorry for getting OT), but, I know that the Noachides observe 7 laws, like against idolatry, not murdering, etc, but, how is idolatry defined?, like, I mean, would someone still be a Noachide if they worshipped God/G-d using an image as a focal point for concentration (like some Hindus, Buddhists, Catholics and various Neo-Pagans do), or would that still be seen as idolatry? (I hope my question made some sense ).

Thanks for any help.

 

[Poisonshady313]

I found an interesting resource...

Hasidic University

Herein, you can explore the depths of the 7 Noachide commandments, and see how each commandment expands into an array of commands which wind you up with 620 commandments.

It gives the basic meaning of the commandment, it's biblical source, it's application to gentiles, and examples of what is or is not prohibited.


Example:


No having idols made for oneself

Application to gentiles: Required

Mandated punishment for violation: From Heaven

Brief description: This is a prohibition both against making idols for oneself and against having others make idols for him, even if he does not plan to worship the idols nor does he believe in their religions.

Examples:

• Not to commission someone to make a statue of Buddha or any Hindu god for oneself.
• Not to make a cross for oneself.

Category: Idolatry Commandments

Biblical source(s) (Rambam): Ex. 20:4

Biblical source (Sefer HaChinuch): Ex. 20:4
Number in Sefer HaChinuch: 27

Sources explaining relevance to gentiles: Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Melachim 9:2
All idolatry-related offenses forbidden for Jews, even without death penalty, are also prohibited to gentiles.

 

[Zardoz]

...Not to make a cross for oneself...

I believe that's a crucifix in question, quite a bit different than the simple shape we call a cross.

 

[Zardoz]

... would someone still be a Noachide if they worshipped God/G-d using an image as a focal point for concentration (like some Hindus, Buddhists, Catholics and various Neo-Pagans do),..

I'd say yes, if it's being used for a 'focal point for worship' then it's an idol, that's always been the excuse for their use.

Something like a painting used for inspiration or decoration might not be an idol though.

 

[David_2010]

I'd say yes, if it's being used for a 'focal point for worship' then it's an idol, that's always been the excuse for their use.

Something like a painting used for inspiration or decoration might not be an idol though.

Thanks, I'm a bit confused by what constitutes idolatry. Although I have another question, and, again, sorry if it's OT, but, how would beings or entities like the deities/Devas of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, or the gods that many Neo-Pagans worship be seen in Judaism?.

I can't remember the exact quote, but, I read this booklet called 'The Real Messiah' by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, which, I think, he wrote as a rebuttal to Christian Missionaries, he mentioned something about the 3-fold god of Christianity, which made me think he didn't deny the existence of such beings, just that they were, in reality, higher Angelic beings or something. I read in 'The Jew in the Lotus' by Rodger Kamenetz (a great book, BTW, it was what got me more interested in my Jewish ancestry, especially the mystical part of Judaism) that Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi said the Devas of Tibetan Buddhism were the same, or a similar, type of being as the Angels of Judaism. Would that be true for other Jewishh denominations or, would they view the beings of other religions in more negative ways? (again, sorry for going OT, if it is too OT, I could post it in a new thread, or someone can maybe seperate my post into a new thread).

Thanks again for any help.

 

[Levite]

Thanks, I'm a bit confused by what constitutes idolatry. Although I have another question, and, again, sorry if it's OT, but, how would beings or entities like the deities/Devas of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, or the gods that many Neo-Pagans worship be seen in Judaism?.

I can't remember the exact quote, but, I read this booklet called 'The Real Messiah' by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, which, I think, he wrote as a rebuttal to Christian Missionaries, he mentioned something about the 3-fold god of Christianity, which made me think he didn't deny the existence of such beings, just that they were, in reality, higher Angelic beings or something. I read in 'The Jew in the Lotus' by Rodger Kamenetz (a great book, BTW, it was what got me more interested in my Jewish ancestry, especially the mystical part of Judaism) that Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi said the Devas of Tibetan Buddhism were the same, or a similar, type of being as the Angels of Judaism. Would that be true for other Jewishh denominations or, would they view the beings of other religions in more negative ways? (again, sorry for going OT, if it is too OT, I could post it in a new thread, or someone can maybe seperate my post into a new thread).

Thanks again for any help.

Not to threadjack, but:

There are, of course, many ways that other gods or higher beings have been regarded by Jewish authorities: some surely do hold that they are angels whom others have mistaken for gods. Some say that they are demons whom others have mistaken for gods. Some say they are facets of God's manifestations that others have erroneously concluded are separate beings rather than facets of a single whole. Some say that they are nothing: mere illusion, falsehood, and trickery. Others have said they are just natural divine energy (the God-generated force that powers the physical universe on a moment to moment basis) that people have mistakenly personified and developed stories around.

The only common element to all those theories is that in each case, the authority responsible has added that, whatever the truth, it is forbidden for Jews to worship them, support their worship, or own the tools of worshipping them (including idols or statues). Traditionally, Jews are also forbidden to enter their temples, but some authorities today have permitted occasional entrance if the purpose in doing so is education, in order to facilitate smoother relations with non-Jews, and so long as the one entering refrains from any prohibited activity within.

Also, traditional authorities have differed about whether such practices are permitted for non-Jews or not. Some say that even non-Jews must at least be pure monotheists, and use no physical objects in representing God. Others say that diffused monotheism, or even some form of monolatry or henotheism might be acceptable in non-Jews, and that non-Jews might be permitted to use physical objects so long as it is understood that they are focii for intention, and are not literally believed to be God or any manifestation of Him that might be called a god in error.

 

[David_2010]

Not to threadjack, but:

There are, of course, many ways that other gods or higher beings have been regarded by Jewish authorities: some surely do hold that they are angels whom others have mistaken for gods. Some say that they are demons whom others have mistaken for gods. Some say they are facets of God's manifestations that others have erroneously concluded are separate beings rather than facets of a single whole. Some say that they are nothing: mere illusion, falsehood, and trickery. Others have said they are just natural divine energy (the God-generated force that powers the physical universe on a moment to moment basis) that people have mistakenly personified and developed stories around.

The only common element to all those theories is that in each case, the authority responsible has added that, whatever the truth, it is forbidden for Jews to worship them, support their worship, or own the tools of worshipping them (including idols or statues). Traditionally, Jews are also forbidden to enter their temples, but some authorities today have permitted occasional entrance if the purpose in doing so is education, in order to facilitate smoother relations with non-Jews, and so long as the one entering refrains from any prohibited activity within.

Also, traditional authorities have differed about whether such practices are permitted for non-Jews or not. Some say that even non-Jews must at least be pure monotheists, and use no physical objects in representing God. Others say that diffused monotheism, or even some form of monolatry or henotheism might be acceptable in non-Jews, and that non-Jews might be permitted to use physical objects so long as it is understood that they are focii for intention, and are not literally believed to be God or any manifestation of Him that might be called a god in error.

Thanks for that, it really helps me understand a lot more .