[[Judaism]] holds that [[gentile]]s (''goyim'' "non-Jews [literally 'Nations']") are not obligated to adhere to all the laws of the Torah (indeed, they are forbidden to fulfill some laws, such as the keeping of the [[Shabbat|Sabbath]] in the exact same manner as Israel {{fact}}). Rabbinic Judaism and its modern-day descendants discourage [[Proselyte|proselytization]]. The Noahide Laws are regarded as the way through which non-Jews can have a direct and meaningful relationship with God or at least comply with the minimal requisites of civilization and of divine law.
A non-Jew who keeps the Noahide Law in all its details is said to attain the same spiritual and moral level as Israel's own [[Kohen Gadol]] (high priest) (Talmud, Bava Kamma 38a). [[Maimonides]] states in his work [[Mishneh Torah]] (''The laws of kings and their rulership 8:11'') that a [[Ger Toshav]] who is precise in the observance of these Seven Noahide commandments is considered to be a ''Righteous Gentile'' and has earned a place in the world to come. This follows a similar statement in the [[Talmud]] (tractate Sanhedrin 105b). However, according to Maimonides, a gentile is considered righteous only if a person follows the Noahide laws specifically because he or she considers them to be of divine origin (through the [[Torah]]) and not if they are merely considered to be intellectually compelling or good rules for living.<ref>[[Mishneh Torah]] ''Shofitm'', ''Wars and Kings'' 8:14</ref>
