Shittuf

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Shittuf, is the basis of Theosebeia and Sabiah the religions of the multi-denominational late antique noahite Theosebes and Sabis. It is usually understood to mean belief in God in the name of a mediator. However, Harvey Falk identifies it as belief in God along with an additional deity.

"R. Tam's view that Shittuf (belief in God the Father, along with an additional deity) is permitted to Gentiles was accepted by the Halakhist R. Moses Isserles (Rema. Orah Hayyim 156:1) and later authorities as well. -It is difficult to ascertain Maimonides' view on this subject as a passage relating to it has heen altered in various editions (Yad, Ma'akhalot Asurot 11:7). The Talmudic Encyclopedia also omits reference to Maimonides on this issue (see Ben Noah, 1981 edition, 3:350)."[1]

Though apparently considered by Jewish authorities in Late Antiquity to be acceptable among non Jews like the Theosebes and Sabis, by the time of Maimonides its Sabi practitioners were apparently regarded as pagan, plain and simple. This might be because early practitioners praying in the name of one being called Sabians of the Hanifa by Arabic commentators while the later practitioners prayed in the name of many and were known as the Sabiah Mushrikun by the same commentators.

Petter Chamor Approach

In Arabic, setting up any partner alongside God is called Shirk and Mushrikun (those who set up partners) are generally frowned upon in Petterine tradition even if they are Noahide. At the same time, it is taken for granted that the belief of a child who has been brought up to worship God is automatically in the name of their parents. Hence there is such a thing as the age of account where by the age of 40 it is hoped that an individual will have experienced God through their own reasoning not just in the name of someone else.

References

  1. page 34 of the Wipf and Stock Publisher's edition of New York Orthodox Rabbi Harvey Falk's book "Jesus the Pharisee: A new look at the Jewishness of Jesus" (copyright 1985 Paulist Press)