Difference between revisions of "Subdividing the Seven Commandments"

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=== Prohibition against idolatry===
 
=== Prohibition against idolatry===
# No [[idolatry]]
+
1. No [[idolatry]]
# To pray  
+
2. To pray  
# To offer ritual sacrifices only to God
+
3. To offer ritual sacrifices only to God
  
 
=== Prohibition against blasphemy===
 
=== Prohibition against blasphemy===
# To believe in the singularity of God, see, [[Monotheism]]
+
4. To believe in the singularity of God, see, [[Monotheism]]
# No [[blasphemy]]
+
5. No [[blasphemy]]
# No [[witchcraft]]  
+
6. No [[witchcraft]]  
# No [[Haruspex|soothsayers]]
+
7. No [[Haruspex|soothsayers]]
# No [[Conjuration|conjurers]]
+
8. No [[Conjuration|conjurers]]
# No sorcerers  
+
9. No sorcerers  
# No [[Medium (spirituality)|mediums]]  
+
10. No [[Medium (spirituality)|mediums]]  
# No [[demonology]]  
+
11. No [[demonology]]  
# No [[Magic (paranormal)|wizardry]]
+
12. No [[Magic (paranormal)|wizardry]]
# No [[necromancy]]  
+
13. No [[necromancy]]  
# To respect father & mother  
+
14. To respect father & mother  
  
 
===Prohibition against murder===
 
===Prohibition against murder===
# No [[murder]]
+
15. No [[murder]]
# No suicide  
+
16. No suicide  
# No [[Moloch]] worship (infant sacrifice)
+
17. No [[Moloch]] worship (infant sacrifice)
  
 
===Prohibition against Theft===
 
===Prohibition against Theft===
# No stealing
+
18. No stealing
  
 
===Prohibition against sexual immorality===
 
===Prohibition against sexual immorality===
# No [[adultery]]  
+
19. No [[adultery]]  
# Formal legal [[marriage]]s  
+
20. Formal legal [[marriage]]s  
# No [[incest]] with close relatives
+
21. No [[incest]] with close relatives
# No [[sodomy]] (i.e. [[homosexuality]])
+
22. No [[sodomy]] (i.e. [[homosexuality]])
# No [[Zoophilia|bestiality]]  
+
23. No [[Zoophilia|bestiality]]  
# Not to [[Crossbreeding|crossbreed animals]]  
+
24. Not to [[Crossbreeding|crossbreed animals]]  
# No [[castration]]
+
25. No [[castration]]
  
 
===Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal===
 
===Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal===
# Not to eat a limb of a living creature  
+
26. Not to eat a limb of a living creature  
# Not to eat or drink blood  
+
27. Not to eat or drink blood  
# Not to eat [[carrion (biology)|carrion]] (for those recognised by a [[Beth Din]])  
+
28. Not to eat [[carrion (biology)|carrion]] (for those recognised by a [[Beth Din]])  
  
 
===Establish Courts of Justice===
 
===Establish Courts of Justice===
# To establish courts and a system of justice
+
29. To establish courts and a system of justice
# No false oaths  
+
30. No false oaths  
  
 
==The Sixty Six Noahide Laws==
 
==The Sixty Six Noahide Laws==
Line 63: Line 63:
 
===Prohibition against idolatry===
 
===Prohibition against idolatry===
  
# "Against entertaining the thought that there exists a deity except Hashem." (Negative 1)
+
1. "Against entertaining the thought that there exists a deity except Hashem." (Negative 1)
# "Against making any graven image [& against having anyone else make one for us]." (Negative 2)
+
2. "Against making any graven image [& against having anyone else make one for us]." (Negative 2)
# "Against making idols for use by others." (Negative 3)
+
3. "Against making idols for use by others." (Negative 3)
# "Against making any forbidden statues [even when they are for ornamental purposes]." (Negative 4)
+
4. "Against making any forbidden statues [even when they are for ornamental purposes]." (Negative 4)
# "Against bowing to any idol [& not to sacrifice nor to pour libation nor to burn incense before any idol, even where it is not the customary manner of worship to the particular idol]." (Negative 5)
+
5. "Against bowing to any idol [& not to sacrifice nor to pour libation nor to burn incense before any idol, even where it is not the customary manner of worship to the particular idol]." (Negative 5)
# "Against worshipping idols in any of their customary manners of worship." (Negative 6)
+
6. "Against worshipping idols in any of their customary manners of worship." (Negative 6)
# "Against causing our children to pass [through the fire] in the worship of Molech." (Negative 7)
+
7. "Against causing our children to pass [through the fire] in the worship of Molech." (Negative 7)
# "Against practicing Ov." (Negative 8)
+
8. "Against practicing Ov." (Negative 8)
# "Against practicing Yiddoni." (Negative 9)
+
9. "Against practicing Yiddoni." (Negative 9)
# "Against turning to idolatry [in word, in thought, in deed, or by any observance that may draw us to its worship]." (Negative 10)  
+
10. "Against turning to idolatry [in word, in thought, in deed, or by any observance that may draw us to its worship]." (Negative 10)  
  
 
===Prohibition against blasphemy===
 
===Prohibition against blasphemy===
  
# "To acknowledge the existence of G-d." (Positive 1)
+
11. "To acknowledge the existence of G-d." (Positive 1)
# "To fear G-d." (Positive 4)
+
12. "To fear G-d." (Positive 4)
# "To pray to Him." (Positive 5)
+
13. "To pray to Him." (Positive 5)
# "To sanctify G-d's name [in face of death, where appropriate]." (Positive 9)
+
14. "To sanctify G-d's name [in face of death, where appropriate]." (Positive 9)
# "Against desecrating G-d's name [even in face of death, when appropriate]." (Negative 63)
+
15. "Against desecrating G-d's name [even in face of death, when appropriate]." (Negative 63)
# "To study the Torah." (Positive 11)
+
16. "To study the Torah." (Positive 11)
# "To honor the scholars, and to revere one's teacher." (Positive 209)
+
17. "To honor the scholars, and to revere one's teacher." (Positive 209)
# "Against blaspheming." (Negative 60)  
+
18. "Against blaspheming." (Negative 60)  
  
 
===Prohibition against theft===
 
===Prohibition against theft===
  
# "Against stealing. [i.e., by stealth]" (Negative 244)
+
19. "Against stealing. [i.e., by stealth]" (Negative 244)
# "Against committing robbery. [i.e., openly]" (Negative 245)
+
20. "Against committing robbery. [i.e., openly]" (Negative 245)
# "Against shifting a landmark." (Negative 246)
+
21. "Against shifting a landmark." (Negative 246)
# "Against cheating." (Negative 247)
+
22. "Against cheating." (Negative 247)
# "Against repudiating a claim of money owed." (Negative 248)
+
23. "Against repudiating a claim of money owed." (Negative 248)
# "Against overcharging." (Negative 250)
+
24. "Against overcharging." (Negative 250)
# "Against coveting." (Negative 265)
+
25. "Against coveting." (Negative 265)
# "Against desiring." (Negative 266)
+
26. "Against desiring." (Negative 266)
# "A laborer shall be allowed to eat of the fruits among which he works [under certain conditions]." (Positive 201)
+
27. "A laborer shall be allowed to eat of the fruits among which he works [under certain conditions]." (Positive 201)
# "Against a laborer eating of such fruit [when certain conditions are not met]." (Negative 267)
+
28. "Against a laborer eating of such fruit [when certain conditions are not met]." (Negative 267)
# "Against a laborer taking of such fruit home." (Negative 268)
+
29. "Against a laborer taking of such fruit home." (Negative 268)
# "Against kidnapping." (Negative 243)
+
30. "Against kidnapping." (Negative 243)
# "Against the use of false weights & measures." (Negative 271)
+
31. "Against the use of false weights & measures." (Negative 271)
# "Against the possession of false weights & measures." (Negative 272)
+
32. "Against the possession of false weights & measures." (Negative 272)
# "That one shall be exact in the use of weights & measures." (Positive 208)
+
33. "That one shall be exact in the use of weights & measures." (Positive 208)
# "That the robber shall return [or pay for] the stolen object." (Positive 194)  
+
34. "That the robber shall return [or pay for] the stolen object." (Positive 194)  
  
 
===Prohibition against murder===
 
===Prohibition against murder===
  
# "Against any person murdering anyone." (Negative 289)  
+
35. "Against any person murdering anyone." (Negative 289)  
  
 
===Prohibition against sexual immorality===
 
===Prohibition against sexual immorality===
  
# "Against [a man] having union with his mother." (Negative 330)
+
36. "Against [a man] having union with his mother." (Negative 330)
# "Against [a man] having union with his sister." (Negative 331)
+
37. "Against [a man] having union with his sister." (Negative 331)
# "Against [a man] having union with the wife of his father." (Negative 332)
+
38. "Against [a man] having union with the wife of his father." (Negative 332)
# "Against [a man] having union with another man's wife." (Negative 347)
+
39. "Against [a man] having union with another man's wife." (Negative 347)
# "Against [a man] copulating with a beast." (Negative 348)
+
40. "Against [a man] copulating with a beast." (Negative 348)
# "Against a woman copulating with a beast." (Negative 349)
+
41. "Against a woman copulating with a beast." (Negative 349)
# "Against [a man] lying carnally with a male." (Negative 350)
+
42. "Against [a man] lying carnally with a male." (Negative 350)
# "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father." (Negative 351)
+
43. "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father." (Negative 351)
# "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father's brother." (Negative 352)
+
44. "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father's brother." (Negative 352)
# "Against engaging in erotic conduct that may lead to a prohibited union. [That is, petting by persons whose marriage would be illicit.]" (Negative 353)  
+
45. "Against engaging in erotic conduct that may lead to a prohibited union. [That is, petting by persons whose marriage would be illicit.]" (Negative 353)  
  
 
===Establish Courts of Justice===
 
===Establish Courts of Justice===
  
# "To appoint judges and officers in each and every community." (Positive 176)
+
46. "To appoint judges and officers in each and every community." (Positive 176)
# "To treat the litigants equally before the law." (Positive 177)
+
47. "To treat the litigants equally before the law." (Positive 177)
# "To inquire diligently into the testimony of a witness." (Positive 179)
+
48. "To inquire diligently into the testimony of a witness." (Positive 179)
# "Against the wanton miscarriag of justice by the court." (Negative 273)
+
49. "Against the wanton miscarriag of justice by the court." (Negative 273)
# "Against the judge accepting a bribe or gift from a litigant." (Negative 274)
+
50. "Against the judge accepting a bribe or gift from a litigant." (Negative 274)
# "Against the judge showing marks of honor to but one litigant." (Negative 275)
+
51. "Against the judge showing marks of honor to but one litigant." (Negative 275)
# "Against the judge acting in fear of a litigant's threats." (Negative 276)
+
52. "Against the judge acting in fear of a litigant's threats." (Negative 276)
# "Against the judge, out of compassion, favoring a poor litigant." (Negative 277)
+
53. "Against the judge, out of compassion, favoring a poor litigant." (Negative 277)
# "Against the judge discriminating against the litigant because he is a sinner." (Negative 278)
+
54. "Against the judge discriminating against the litigant because he is a sinner." (Negative 278)
# "Against the judge, out of softness, putting aside the penalty of a mauler or killer." (Negative 279)
+
55. "Against the judge, out of softness, putting aside the penalty of a mauler or killer." (Negative 279)
# "Against the judge discriminating against a stranger or an orphan." (Negative 280)
+
56. "Against the judge discriminating against a stranger or an orphan." (Negative 280)
# "Against the judge hearing one litigant in the absence of another." (Negative 281)
+
57. "Against the judge hearing one litigant in the absence of another." (Negative 281)
# "Against appointing a judge who lacks knowledge of the Law." (Negative 284)
+
58. "Against appointing a judge who lacks knowledge of the Law." (Negative 284)
# "Against incrimination by circumstantial evidence." (Negative 290)
+
59. "Against incrimination by circumstantial evidence." (Negative 290)
# "Against punishing for a crime committed under duress." (Negative 294)
+
60. "Against punishing for a crime committed under duress." (Negative 294)
# "That the court is to administer the death penalty by the sword [i.e., decapitation]." (Positive 226)
+
61. "That the court is to administer the death penalty by the sword [i.e., decapitation]." (Positive 226)
# "Against anyone taking the law into his own hands to kill the perpetrator of a capital crime." (Negative 292)
+
62. "Against anyone taking the law into his own hands to kill the perpetrator of a capital crime." (Negative 292)
# "To testify in court." (Positive 178)
+
63. "To testify in court." (Positive 178)
# "Against testifying falsely." (Negative 285)  
+
64. "Against testifying falsely." (Negative 285)  
  
 
===Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal===
 
===Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal===
  
# "Against eating a limb severed from a living animal, beast, or fowl." (Negative 182)
+
65. "Against eating a limb severed from a living animal, beast, or fowl." (Negative 182)
# "Against eating the flesh of any animal which was torn by a wild beast which, in part, prohibits the eating of such flesh as was torn off an animal while it was still alive." (Negative 181)
+
66. "Against eating the flesh of any animal which was torn by a wild beast which, in part, prohibits the eating of such flesh as was torn off an animal while it was still alive." (Negative 181)

Revision as of 12:23, 27 December 2006

Various rabbinic sources have different positions on the way the seven laws are to be subdivided in categories. Maimonides (Melakhim 10:6) lists one additional Noahide commandment forbidding the coupling of different kinds of animals and the mixing of trees. Maimonides commentator Radbaz expressed surprise that he left out castration and sorcery which were listed in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 56b).

The tenth century Rabbi Saadia Gaon included tithes and levirate marriage. The eleventh century Rav Nissim Gaon states that all religious acts which can be understood through human reasoning are obligatory upon Jew and Gentile alike. According to this reasoning, he included "listening to God's Voice", "knowing God" and "serving God". The fourteenth century Rabbi Nissim ben Reuben Gerondi included the commandment of charity.

The sixteenth century work Asarah Maamarot by Rabbi Menahem Azariah of Fano (Rema mi-Fano) enumerates thirty commandments, listing the latter twenty-three as extensions of the original seven. Another commentator (Kol Hidushei Maharitz Chayess I, end Ch. 10) suggests these are not related to the first seven, nor based on Scripture, but were passed down by oral tradition. The number thirty derives from the statement of the Talmudic sage Ulla in tractate Hullin 92a, though he lists only three other rules in addition to the original seven, consisting of the prohibitions against homosexuality and cannibalism, as well as the imperative to honor the Torah.

Talmud commentator Rashi remarks on this that he does not know the other Commandments referred to. Though the authorities seem to take it for granted that Ulla's thirty commandments included the original seven, an additional thirty laws is also possible from the reading.

Theft, robbery and stealing covers the appropriate understanding of other persons, their property and their rights. The establishment of courts of justice promotes the value of the responsibility of a corporate society of people to enforce these laws and define these terms. The refusal to engage in unnecessary lust or cruelty demonstrates respect for the Creation itself as renewed after the Flood. To not do murder would include human sacrifice.

Thirty Noahide Commandments

The tenth century Shmuel ben Hophni Gaon lists thirty Noahide Commandments based on Ulla's Talmudic statement, though the text is problematic. He includes the prohibitions against suicide and false oaths, as well as the imperatives related to prayer, sacrifices and honoring one's parents. The commandments, according to Shmuel ben Hophni Gaon, cover:

Prohibition against idolatry

1. No idolatry 2. To pray 3. To offer ritual sacrifices only to God

Prohibition against blasphemy

4. To believe in the singularity of God, see, Monotheism 5. No blasphemy 6. No witchcraft 7. No soothsayers 8. No conjurers 9. No sorcerers 10. No mediums 11. No demonology 12. No wizardry 13. No necromancy 14. To respect father & mother

Prohibition against murder

15. No murder 16. No suicide 17. No Moloch worship (infant sacrifice)

Prohibition against Theft

18. No stealing

Prohibition against sexual immorality

19. No adultery 20. Formal legal marriages 21. No incest with close relatives 22. No sodomy (i.e. homosexuality) 23. No bestiality 24. Not to crossbreed animals 25. No castration

Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal

26. Not to eat a limb of a living creature 27. Not to eat or drink blood 28. Not to eat carrion (for those recognised by a Beth Din)

Establish Courts of Justice

29. To establish courts and a system of justice 30. No false oaths

The Sixty Six Noahide Laws

The contemporary Rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein counts 66 instructions but Rabbi Harvey Falk has suggested that much work remains to be done in order to properly identify all of the Noahide Commandments, their divisions and subdivisions.

Prohibition against idolatry

1. "Against entertaining the thought that there exists a deity except Hashem." (Negative 1) 2. "Against making any graven image [& against having anyone else make one for us]." (Negative 2) 3. "Against making idols for use by others." (Negative 3) 4. "Against making any forbidden statues [even when they are for ornamental purposes]." (Negative 4) 5. "Against bowing to any idol [& not to sacrifice nor to pour libation nor to burn incense before any idol, even where it is not the customary manner of worship to the particular idol]." (Negative 5) 6. "Against worshipping idols in any of their customary manners of worship." (Negative 6) 7. "Against causing our children to pass [through the fire] in the worship of Molech." (Negative 7) 8. "Against practicing Ov." (Negative 8) 9. "Against practicing Yiddoni." (Negative 9) 10. "Against turning to idolatry [in word, in thought, in deed, or by any observance that may draw us to its worship]." (Negative 10)

Prohibition against blasphemy

11. "To acknowledge the existence of G-d." (Positive 1) 12. "To fear G-d." (Positive 4) 13. "To pray to Him." (Positive 5) 14. "To sanctify G-d's name [in face of death, where appropriate]." (Positive 9) 15. "Against desecrating G-d's name [even in face of death, when appropriate]." (Negative 63) 16. "To study the Torah." (Positive 11) 17. "To honor the scholars, and to revere one's teacher." (Positive 209) 18. "Against blaspheming." (Negative 60)

Prohibition against theft

19. "Against stealing. [i.e., by stealth]" (Negative 244) 20. "Against committing robbery. [i.e., openly]" (Negative 245) 21. "Against shifting a landmark." (Negative 246) 22. "Against cheating." (Negative 247) 23. "Against repudiating a claim of money owed." (Negative 248) 24. "Against overcharging." (Negative 250) 25. "Against coveting." (Negative 265) 26. "Against desiring." (Negative 266) 27. "A laborer shall be allowed to eat of the fruits among which he works [under certain conditions]." (Positive 201) 28. "Against a laborer eating of such fruit [when certain conditions are not met]." (Negative 267) 29. "Against a laborer taking of such fruit home." (Negative 268) 30. "Against kidnapping." (Negative 243) 31. "Against the use of false weights & measures." (Negative 271) 32. "Against the possession of false weights & measures." (Negative 272) 33. "That one shall be exact in the use of weights & measures." (Positive 208) 34. "That the robber shall return [or pay for] the stolen object." (Positive 194)

Prohibition against murder

35. "Against any person murdering anyone." (Negative 289)

Prohibition against sexual immorality

36. "Against [a man] having union with his mother." (Negative 330) 37. "Against [a man] having union with his sister." (Negative 331) 38. "Against [a man] having union with the wife of his father." (Negative 332) 39. "Against [a man] having union with another man's wife." (Negative 347) 40. "Against [a man] copulating with a beast." (Negative 348) 41. "Against a woman copulating with a beast." (Negative 349) 42. "Against [a man] lying carnally with a male." (Negative 350) 43. "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father." (Negative 351) 44. "Against [a man] lying carnally with his father's brother." (Negative 352) 45. "Against engaging in erotic conduct that may lead to a prohibited union. [That is, petting by persons whose marriage would be illicit.]" (Negative 353)

Establish Courts of Justice

46. "To appoint judges and officers in each and every community." (Positive 176) 47. "To treat the litigants equally before the law." (Positive 177) 48. "To inquire diligently into the testimony of a witness." (Positive 179) 49. "Against the wanton miscarriag of justice by the court." (Negative 273) 50. "Against the judge accepting a bribe or gift from a litigant." (Negative 274) 51. "Against the judge showing marks of honor to but one litigant." (Negative 275) 52. "Against the judge acting in fear of a litigant's threats." (Negative 276) 53. "Against the judge, out of compassion, favoring a poor litigant." (Negative 277) 54. "Against the judge discriminating against the litigant because he is a sinner." (Negative 278) 55. "Against the judge, out of softness, putting aside the penalty of a mauler or killer." (Negative 279) 56. "Against the judge discriminating against a stranger or an orphan." (Negative 280) 57. "Against the judge hearing one litigant in the absence of another." (Negative 281) 58. "Against appointing a judge who lacks knowledge of the Law." (Negative 284) 59. "Against incrimination by circumstantial evidence." (Negative 290) 60. "Against punishing for a crime committed under duress." (Negative 294) 61. "That the court is to administer the death penalty by the sword [i.e., decapitation]." (Positive 226) 62. "Against anyone taking the law into his own hands to kill the perpetrator of a capital crime." (Negative 292) 63. "To testify in court." (Positive 178) 64. "Against testifying falsely." (Negative 285)

Prohibition against Eating the limb of a living animal

65. "Against eating a limb severed from a living animal, beast, or fowl." (Negative 182) 66. "Against eating the flesh of any animal which was torn by a wild beast which, in part, prohibits the eating of such flesh as was torn off an animal while it was still alive." (Negative 181)