Noahide Laws
Question
Rabbi, As a gentile, I have grown to value the Noahide tradition. I heard a question on YouTube for which I had no answer. If the 7 Laws began with Noah, why is there mention of it in other cultures; why only in the Talmud? In the past, I have gained great comfort from Jewish wisdom. I would be very interested in your answer. Baruch HaShem!
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question!
We are happy to hear of non-Jews who value the Noahide tradition!
Although I can’t comment on other cultures, because I don’t know much about them, perhaps the history of the Noahide laws might give us an idea.
The seven laws of Noah can be found in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56 and Tosefta, Avoda Zara 9:4).
The seven mitzvot are:
1. Not to worship idols
2. Not to cure God
3. Not to murder
4. Not to commit any sexual immorality
5. Not to steal
6. Not to eat the flesh of an animal that is still alive
7. To establish a legal system and courts to enforce it.
The Talmud tells us that the seven laws were first given to Adam and later passed down to Noah who became the “Patriarch” of the seven mitzvot. Actually, according to some sources, Adam was given six mitzvot, with the seventh, to establish of a legal system, being given to Noah. According to this approach, since the “Seven Mitzvot” were finalized in the days of Noah, it became associated with him instead of Adam.
Based on the above, it is well known that many ancient and current religions of the world accept Adam and Noah as major prophets and influences in their value system. As such, it is not surprising to hear that you have discovered that other religions subscribe to the laws of Noah. Even before the proliferation of different religions, ancient cultures often sought out a moral code to live by, and the Noahide laws, being the oldest, was often to go-to choice.
So too, throughout history, there were rabbis who encouraged the Gentiles around them to observe the Seven Laws of Noah and they received some success in their efforts. Such rabbis include Maimonides in Spain and Benamozegh in Italy.
Allow me to conclude with a gentle reminder that any religion that does not accept the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and subscribe to the Noahide code, is an illegitimate religion. Although non-Jews do not have to be Jewish to go to heaven, they must live according to “Noahide” type of laws.