You're a WHAT!?!

[TheKnight]

I have often come across people who, upon finding out about my religion will say something akin to "You're a WHAT!?!"

I am a Noahide. What's that? Well, in essence, Noahides are people who believe in Judaism. They are people (non-Jews) who believe that God gave the Torah to the Jews at Sinai and that the Torah, being God's ultimate wisdom, contains the rules and regulations with which mankind can perfect this world.

In our world, there is a vast amount of diversity. There are different races, different genders etc etc etc. So, the rules are different for each person depending on who they are. The Jews have 613 laws which apply to them, and Noahides have 7 princples (or 66 commandments) that apply to them. And then within those two groups you have divisions for certain positions and for gender.

The Seven Noahide principles are:
1. Belief in God
2. Respect for Gof
3. Value of human life
4. Vaue of the family structure
5. Value of the property of others
6. Value of all non-human life
7. The pursuit of justice.

In essence, if anyone does/abides by these things then they are considered a religiously observant Noahide.

If you have any questions concerning Noahides (or Othodox/Chassidic Judaism) please feel free to ask.

 

[Andal]

I have often come across people who, upon finding out about my religion will say something akin to "You're a WHAT!?!"

I am a Noahide. What's that? Well, in essence, Noahides are people who believe in Judaism. They are people (non-Jews) who believe that God gave the Torah to the Jews at Sinai and that the Torah, being God's ultimate wisdom, contains the rules and regulations with which mankind can perfect this world.

In our world, there is a vast amount of diversity. There are different races, different genders etc etc etc. So, the rules are different for each person depending on who they are. The Jews have 613 laws which apply to them, and Noahides have 7 princples (or 66 commandments) that apply to them. And then within those two groups you have divisions for certain positions and for gender.

The Seven Noahide principles are:
1. Belief in God
2. Respect for Gof
3. Value of human life
4. Vaue of the family structure
5. Value of the property of others
6. Value of all non-human life
7. The pursuit of justice.

In essence, if anyone does/abides by these things then they are considered a religiously observant Noahide.

If you have any questions concerning Noahides (or Othodox/Chassidic Judaism) please feel free to ask.

This is interesting. I'm a little confused though so please forgive my ignorance, are you then Jewish or is there a distinction being made between the Noahides and Jews? If so is conversion into Judaism and option for you? Is this a tradition passed down through family and tradition?

Thanks

 

[TheKnight]

This is interesting. I'm a little confused though so please forgive my ignorance, are you then Jewish or is there a distinction being made between the Noahides and Jews? If so is conversion into Judaism and option for you? Is this a tradition passed down through family and tradition?

Thanks

No. I am not a Jew. Basically there are Jews (any one who's mother is a Jew is also a Jew) and there are Noahides (a Noahide is anyone who is not a Jew also known as a Gentile). There is distinction made between Noahides and Jews.

Conversion into Judaism is an option for any non-Jew.

It's not a tradition passed down through family, but it has been passed down through Jewish oral tradition and there have been many famous Noahides (such as King Cyrus). The Talmud mentions them quite a bit.

(BTW I havent always believe in Judaism, I used to be a Christian(for the first 15 years of my life) and I knew and still know a lot about Christianity.

 

[Andal]

No. I am not a Jew. Basically there are Jews (any one who's mother is a Jew is also a Jew) and there are Noahides (a Noahide is anyone who is not a Jew also known as a Gentile). There is distinction made between Noahides and Jews.

Conversion into Judaism is an option for any non-Jew.

It's not a tradition passed down through family, but it has been passed down through Jewish oral tradition and there have been many famous Noahides (such as King Cyrus). The Talmud mentions them quite a bit.

(BTW I havent always believe in Judaism, I used to be a Christian(for the first 15 years of my life) and I knew and still know a lot about Christianity.

Thanks so much for the answers I got it now. Do you keep all of the Jewish holy days and rituals? Do you go to synagogue?

Sorry for the 20 questions

 

[TheKnight]

Thanks so much for the answers I got it now. Do you keep all of the Jewish holy days and rituals? Do you go to synagogue?

I, personally, don't. A Noahide is only obligated to observe the 7 commandments I mentioned above. Anything outisde of those 7 are up to the Noahide. I try to observe them when I can, but I don't usually keep up with the Jewish calendar to know when they are coming, and info on how to observe the holidays (for Noahides) is very hard to find.

Also, I don't really go to any synagogue. For the same reason I hated going to church when I was a Christian. It's just...it doesn't seem to be as much about the religion as it is about the social aspect. That's fine and all, but I'm not all that into it. I do, however, try to regularly participate in online Noahide groups and what not.

Sorry for the 20 questions

Please, dont' be sorry. The questions are good. I like it when people ask questions.

 

[AlsoAnima]

I think anyone who doesn't fall into a common religion will get a confused look when they profess their own. And, by common, I mean one that is in the media often. So Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddists and maybe Pagans will often just get a nod, where as other religions will require the witness to ask a few more questions before they can really understand it.

 

[TheKnight]

Technically we fall under the Orthodox Judaism framework, which is why I put "Chassidic (or Hasidic) Judaism" as my religion.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Interesting...I must say I have never heard of your religion before...

So basically you believe in Judaism but you are not a jew...persumably because non of your family are Jews..

I have a couple of questions..

Why does it have to be the mother to be a Jew, why not the Father?

Also I didnt realise you could convert to Judaism, I thought you had to be born a Jew?

If you can convert as you state, and you believe in Judaism, why not become a Jew? (sorry if that is a cheeky question! )

 

[Functionless]

What family structure?

 

[TheKnight]

So basically you believe in Judaism but you are not a jew...persumably because non of your family are Jews..

Yep. A Noahide is someone who believes in Judaism, but does not have Jewish blood.

Why does it have to be the mother to be a Jew, why not the Father?

Whether or not a person is a Jew is determined by the mother's side. What tribe they are from, what customs they follow etc etc . Is determined by the Father's side. I'm not sure why it is that way, but Halakhicly (according to Jewish law) whether or not someone is a Jew is determined by the mother's side..

Also I didnt realise you could convert to Judaism, I thought you had to be born a Jew?

Nope. If a person is willing to take on the 613 commandments for themselves, and empathizes with the Jewish people enough to become a Jew then they can do so. It's a long process that takes about a year (during which time they learn the commandments, learn basic Hebrew, go before a Beis Din (Jewish court), and live with Jews to help their practice).

If you can convert as you state, and you believe in Judaism, why not become a Jew? (sorry if that is a cheeky question! )

Well for one, I'm too young to do so on my own. Because of my age, I live with my parents and they are still Christians. In other words, my parents won't let me convert so long as I live with them...Plus, I'm not 18 yet and I would need their consent.

Also, many Noahides remain Noahides because they don't feel the connection to the Jewish people, they don't want to follow the entire 613 commandments, etc etc etc. One doesn't have to convert, so there's really no reason to if you don't really feel a deep connectio to the Jews.

 

[TheKnight]

What family structure?

4. Gilui Arayot גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת

Literally: Exposure of nakedness - i.e. knowing someone sexually​

Prohibition against: Sexual transgressions (i.e. incest, adultery, homosexual acts, castration and bestiality etc)​

Commandment to: Respect family values, because G-d defined marriage.​

This commandment prohibits six immoral acts: with your mother, with your fathers wife, with a friends wife, with your sister from your mother, with an animal, and sodomy. Wholesome families are a basis of healthy communities, nations and societies. Sexual transgressions lead to inner spiritual decay. (Genesis 2:24)​

(Source)

 

[Truth_Faith13]

4. Gilui Arayotגִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת

Literally: Exposure of nakedness - i.e. knowing someone sexually


Prohibition against: Sexual transgressions (i.e. incest, adultery, homosexual acts, castration and bestiality etc)


Commandment to: Respect family values, because G-d defined marriage.


This commandment prohibits six immoral acts: with your mother, with your fathers wife, with a friends wife, with your sister from your mother, with an animal, and sodomy. Wholesome families are a basis of healthy communities, nations and societies. Sexual transgressions lead to inner spiritual decay. (Genesis 2:24)​

(Source)

They seem quite specific in their rules...why not your brothers wife? and what does "with your sister from your mother" mean??

 

[TheKnight]

They seem quite specific in their rules...why not your brothers wife? and what does "with your sister from your mother" mean??

Why not your brother's wife? Because, suppose your brother died, then it would be permissible (in some opinions obligatory) for you to marry his wife.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Why not your brother's wife? Because, suppose your brother died, then it would be permissible (in some opinions obligatory) for you to marry his wife.

Blimey!

Ok, what about you father?

 

[TheKnight]

Blimey!

Ok, what about you father?

What do you mean? Why can't you marry your father's wife? Or why can you marry your father?

If it's the first then it's because your father's wife is most likely your mother. Plus, it's disrespectful to marry your father's wife.

If it's the latter then, you can't marry your father. It's prohibited when it says sodomy. In the Talmudic explanation of the 7 commandments, it says homosexuality.

 

[Truth_Faith13]

What do you mean? Why can't you marry your father's wife? Or why can you marry your father?

If it's the first then it's because your father's wife is most likely your mother. Plus, it's disrespectful to marry your father's wife.

If it's the latter then, you can't marry your father. It's prohibited when it says sodomy. In the Talmudic explanation of the 7 commandments, it says homosexuality.

Well the first one says your mother...so why does it not say your father?

I know why you can do anything with your father or mother? what I am asking is why does it specifically state your mother, but not your father? or your mothers husband etc...

 

[TheKnight]

Well the first one says your mother...so why does it not say your father?

I know why you can do anything with your father or mother? what I am asking is why does it specifically state your mother, but not your father? or your mothers husband etc...

Because...sexual relations with males is forbidden. There's no need to state it twice.

 

[AlsoAnima]

Because...sexual relations with males is forbidden. There's no need to state it twice.

But lesbians are okay? Because they're not having anal sex? o.o That's weird.

 

[zenzero]

Friend TheKnight,

You're a WHAT!?!

Personally started with *Who am I?*
be4cause the basis of what can be probed only after it is known as to who is there to know about *WHAT*

Sorry, till date could never know as to *WHO am I?* and still stck up here.
Best Wishes.
LOve & rgds

 

[Truth_Faith13]

Because...sexual relations with males is forbidden. There's no need to state it twice.

But by that line of thought...I wouldnt be able to have sex with my future husband (when I find him...)

A woman and a man doesnt have to have sex with sodomy...so I restate why does it specifically state your mother, but not your father....

Or are these rules specific for males?