A message of peace and brotherhood from the Jewish people,
To our Christian and other Gentile Neighbors,
With the Blessings of G-d from the Jewish People.
To our Christian and other Gentile Neighbors,
With the Blessings of G-d from the Jewish People.
The Bible teaches us that at Mount Sinai G-d revealed His word and law (Torah) to the Jewish people. But the Bible also teaches us that this was not the first time G-d revealed His law. The covenant that G-d made with Israel was not His first covenant with mankind.
It is true that Israel was (and is) chosen to be G-d’s nation of priests (Ex. 19:6). Yet, almost one thousand years before this, right after the flood, G-d revealed to Noah certain universal laws that were to be obeyed by all mankind. These universal laws consist of seven general categories. It is these laws that are the definition and foundation of a moral and just society.
G-d gave these seven categories of universal law to Noah and to all his children. This was G-d’s first covenant with all mankind, for we are all the children of Noah. Only by fulfilling the universal laws of these seven categories can a gentile stand in righteousness before G-d.
Yes, actions count! Theological beliefs are simply not enough for the gentile to stand righteously before G-d. Even the Christian Bible acknowledges this. James says, "faith without works is dead" (C.B. James 2:17,20). To what works does James refer?
When gentiles began to join their new religion, the book of Acts records that the question was asked if these gentiles needed to convert and become Jews. James responded by saying no. These gentiles only had to do certain things (Acts 15:29). What James outlined was the basic seven universal laws incumbent upon all of Noah’s children.
While we Jews do not acknowledge the new religion founded by James and his brother, nonetheless, even James acknowledged the need of the gentile to observe their ancient covenant with G-d.
These seven universal laws for the children of Noah are as applicable and in force today as they were in the days of Noah and in the days of James. Only by observing them does a gentile become a righteous gentile.
These then are the seven general categories of the universal laws for the children of Noah, which are incumbent on all mankind:
1. (The prohibition against) worship of false gods.
(This includes the forbiddance in believing in a false prophet, false messiah and a false religion).
2. (The prohibition against) cursing G-d.
(This includes the forbiddance of cursing G-d’s chosen people Israel, (anti Semitism) and the prohibition against blaspheming the Holy Spirit by claiming the works of the Rabbis are not inspired by G-d.
3. (The prohibition against) murder.
(However capital punishment for the crime of murder is required. Ref. Gen. 9:6 ).
4. (The prohibition against) forbidden sexual relations.
(This includes the prohibition against homosexuality and bestiality ).
5. (The prohibition against) theft.
(These laws are greatly detailed by the Rabbis in books of Jewish law, and many of these details are as applicable to the gentile as they are to the Jew ).
6. (The command to establish) laws and courts of justice.
(This includes the obligation to adhere to the laws of the land as long as those laws do not contradict the laws of G-d ).
7. (The prohibition against) eating flesh from a living animal.
(This includes the prohibition of inflicting unnecessary pain upon animals ).
There is so much disunity today caused by conflicting religious doctrines. Everyone is so ready to condemn another if that other does not share the same beliefs. This course of action is not the holy path of G-d. Unlike other religions, Judaism does not claim to be the right path for everyone. In matter of fact, Judaism acknowledges that there are different paths for different peoples. The only thing that unites us all are those universal laws and truths that G-d Himself has ordained in the Bible and expounded upon by the true keepers of the keys to His Kingdom, the Rabbis (Deut. 17: 8-12).
There is no more room for argument of doctrine and theology. Such arguments are not for the glory of G-d.
The wisest advice that one can take is to read your Bible, specifically what you call the "Old" Testament. See for yourself what G-d’s path is. Stop relying upon others to tell you your spiritual truths. Seek them out yourself! Read the Bible yourself !!
For centuries, Jews were faced with certain death from hostile religious authorities if we ever spoke to the gentile community about the truths that G-d has for them. Thank the L-rd those days have past. We can today fulfill our Biblical duty of being a light to the nations.
Special Note
The Congress of the United States of America
has declared that the seven universal laws
commanded to Noah (the Noahide laws) are
"the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization.”
U.S. Congress, H.J. Resolution 104, Public Law 102-14, 1991
This proclamation was signed by President George Bush on March 20th, 1991
The Seven Laws of the Benei Noah – KosherTorah.com Copyright © 1993 - 2003 by Ariel Bar Tzadok. All rights reserved.
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