Noahide Laws

The Noahide Laws or Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew: שבע מצוות בני נח‎ Sheva Mitzvot B'nei Noach), are a set of commandments which, according to Rabbinic Judaism, were given by God as a binding set of laws for the "children of Noah" – that is, all of humanity.

According to Rabbinic tradition, non-Jews who adhere to these laws are said to be followers of Noahidism and regarded as righteous gentiles, who are assured of a place in Olam Haba (עולם הבא‎, the world to come), the final reward of the righteous.

The seven Noahide laws as traditionally enumerated are the following (one is a positive commandment, 6 are prohibitions).

• 1. To establish laws and courts of justice.
• 2. Not to worship idols.
• 3. Not to curse God.
• 4. Not to commit murder.
• 5. Not to commit adultery, or sexual immorality (Heb. זְנוּת, zenuth; Gr. πορνεία, porneia) [like incest, prostitution or bestiality]
• 6. Not to steal.
• 7. Not to eat flesh torn from a living animal.

The concept of the Noahide Laws was based of Genesis 9:8-9 ("God spoke to Noah and his sons with him: Behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your descendants after you"). Actually the text simply refers to God's promise that "never again the waters shall become a flood to destroy all flesh" (9:15). But because of their belief in the preexistence of the Torah, in theses verses the rabbis saw evidence of the establishment of a broader covenant with the entire humankind, parallel to the Mosaic covenant with Israel. It was a new idea developed by the rabbis.

The earliest complete rabbinic version of the seven laws can be found in the Tosefta (late 2nd cent. CE).

According to the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56a) and the Midrash (Genesis Rabbah 34:8), the Noahide Laws apply to all humanity. In Rabbinic Judaism, בני נח B'nei Noah (Hebrew, "Descendants of Noah", "Children of Noah") refers to all of humankind. The Talmud also states: "Righteous people of all nations have a share in the world to come". Any non-Jew who lives according to these laws is regarded as one of "the righteous among the gentiles".

The prohibition against idolatry refers specifically to idolatrous worship and practice, and not to beliefs in another religion. In later generations, Jews had to determine whether the prevailing religious cultures in which they lived were idolatrous. Since Islam is strictly monotheistic, Muslims have always been considered Noahides. Since the later Middle Ages, Jews have acknowledged that the Christian doctrine of the Trinity was not the same as idolatry, and they were also recognized as Noahides.

Proselytism and salvation

Historically, Rabbinic Judaism claims that non-Jews are not obliged by God to adhere to all the remaining laws of the Torah; in the Last Judgment they will be judged according to the Noahide Laws (not according to the Mosaic Torah, like the Jews). Since non-Jews do not need to follow the Mosaic Torah in order to be saved, Rabbinic Judaism is not a missionary religion seeking for converts.

Since conversion is not necessary for salvation; proselytism was allowed only under very limited circumstances.

There are two kinds of proselytes in Rabbinic Judaism: ger tzedek (righteous proselytes, proselytes of righteousness, religious proselyte, devout proselyte) and ger toshav (resident proselyte, proselytes of the gate, limited proselyte, half-proselyte).

A "righteous proselyte" is a gentile who has converted to Judaism, is bound to all the doctrines and precepts of the Jewish religion, and is considered a full member of the Jewish people. The proselyte is circumcised as an adult (milah l'shem giur), if male, and immerses in a mikvah to formally effect the conversion.

A "gate proselyte" is a resident alien who lives in the Land of Israel under Jewish Rule or in a Jewish household (like family members or servants or workers). They are legally under Jewish jurisdiction, yet they are not Jews nor member of the religious community of Israel. As such, they are not required to "convert" nor to be circumcised nor to comply with the whole of the Torah. They are bound only to conform to the Seven Laws of Noah, if they want to live in a Jewish society or household.