How to become a Noahite

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This page is a first draft and needs a lot of work.

The Talmud, and codified by Maimonides, it is not sufficient for a non-Jew to just keep the seven laws in order to "have a portion in the world to come".

As Maimonides says:

Everyone who accepts the seven commandments and is careful to perform them – this person is of the Chasidei Umos HaOlam, and he has a portion in the world to come. He accepts them and performs them because they were commanded by the Kodosh Baruch Hu revealed to us by the hand of Moshe Rabbenu that the Bnei Noah were previously commanded in these things.[1]

He also says:

One who accepts these [basic laws] is called: Ger Toshav in every place, and he must accept [these laws] on himself in front of three judges. And all who have taken upon themselves to circumcise, and twelve months have past without circumcision – this person becomes like other nations [who have not accepted the Noahide laws].[2]

A translation of Maimonides may be found here. Please remember when reading other laws of Maimonides that he is only one authority, and other great Rabbis have given their opinions. Not all of Maimonides opinions have been accepted as halacha.)

Are You a Noahide Already?

All of humanity are 'children of Noah' by definition, so the question is really "are you an observant Noahide?" (i.e. one who is promised a share in the world to come). The answer is that many religions and legal systems come close to qualifying as living up to the Noahide standard, but fall short on a few areas. So by supplementing or reforming an existing faith, one may live up to the Noahide requirements.

The Noahide Declaration

A Noahide declaration should include these points.

To be a Chasidei Umos HaOlam, Righteous Gentile:

  1. Accept the seven commandments
  2. Be careful to perform them (that is in all their subdivisions and details, including dinim - the laws of the courts)
  3. Because they were commanded by G-d
  4. Revealed to us by the hand of Moshe Rabbenu (through Rabbinic tradition)
  5. Were previously commanded in these things (reconnecting with the previous ancient law & covenant)

To be a Ger Toshav, Partial Convert

  1. He must accept [these laws] on himself in front of three judges.
  2. This is in "every place", which I believe means local judges anywhere in the world.

One must remember that unlike 'conversion' to Christianity or Islam, the Noahide declaration is not a conversion process, rather a declaration of intent and acceptance of the authority of Rabbinic interpretation of Scripture and local Noahide courts.

Becoming a Noahide or Converting to Judaism

As far as being a Noahide or converting to Judaism goes, these are two very different paths. Besides the obvious differences, there is the question of legal jurisdiction. A convert intends to be under the complete authority of the Jewish court of law as interpreted by the Jewish court system. A Noahide must place himself under the authority of his nations Noahide courts, and be a good national. Just as a convert should seek the welfare of the Jewish nation (as Ruth said "your people will be my people..."), and a Noahide should seek the welfare of his nation. In the Talmud (Bava Kama 38a) is says that like the Jews, the Noahide nations have also been sent into exile because they didn't keep their part of the covenant. I understand this to mean that they must find themselves and who they are. Like the Jews, they too have a mission and purpose in this world.

Which 'Nation' do you belong to?

It is important that a Noahide declares the court system he is following, in addition to his pledge of upholding the seven laws.

Finding a Noahide Court

Have you contacted Chabad in your area? They are usually open to Noahide issues. Is it possible for you to travel to Jerusalem to meet with the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah? Is it possible to assemble a Beis Din of observant Jews in your area to listen to your declaration?

Registering

There are some rabbinic opinions that one must observe the Seven Laws as a binding legal requirement. For Noahides in the United States, one way to do this is to register with the the United Noachide Council. The UNC functions as a complementary court system to the United States court system, and is registered to handle certain legal cases. The intention is to allow a Noahide to fulfill the Noahide Covenant and in all your ways know G-d(Proverbs 3:6). The idea being that even something as simple as stopping for a red traffic light, when done with the correct intention, can be a mitvah with spiritual reward.

Please fill out the following information and send it to the UNC:

  1. Something
  2. Something
  3. Something
  4. Something

The UNC is working in other countries to set up complementary court systems, to make up for the lack where those countries legal systems have fallen short of the basic requirements for the proper functioning of society and religion.

References

  1. Mishne Torah: Laws of Kings 8:11
  2. Mishne Torah: Laws of Kings 8:10