The video presented by Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz in collaboration with the Dutch Noahide Community is nothing short of a treasure trove of wisdom. It offers a profound and deep Halachic understanding of the 7 Noahide laws, providing insights that connect us to the very essence of our shared human values. The Rabbi’s eloquence and clarity make this video an essential resource for anyone seeking to explore these universal laws from a Jewish perspective.

Topics covered in this video include:

  • The Importance of the Noahide Community (00:59): Rabbi Breitowitz emphasizes the significance of the Noahide community to the Jewish people and G-d’s plan for humanity.

  • Salvation and Righteous Gentiles (02:05): Judaism’s unique stance that salvation doesn’t depend on becoming Jewish is highlighted. Righteous Gentiles, or the pious G-d-fearing among the nations, have a share in the world to come.
  • The Seven Commandments of Noah (03:04): These commandments were given to Adam and later reformulated in Noah’s time. They include prohibitions against idolatry, paganism, and eating the limb of a live animal.

Law 1 - Do not practice idolatryPermalink

  • Idolatry and Other Religions (04:15): A detailed discussion on Christianity and Islam’s position within the Noahide framework. Maimonides considered Trinitarian Christianity idolatry, while Rabbeinu Tam saw it as non-idolatrous. Eastern religions like Buddhism and Hinduism are also discussed, with concerns about their alignment with monotheism.
  • Practical Consequences (09:44): The implications of being a righteous Noahide, including having a share in the world to come, are explored. The theoretical Halachic implications of living in the land of Israel are also discussed.
  • Theological Correctness and Eternal Reward (14:00): Rabbi Breitowitz explores the complex question of whether theological correctness is a prerequisite for eternal reward. He contrasts Maimonides’ view, which emphasizes correct belief, with other commentaries that focus on virtuous conduct.

Law 2 - Do not engage in illicit sexualityPermalink

  • Sexual Offenses and Homosexuality (17:33): The Noahide code’s prohibition against sexual offenses, including homosexuality, is discussed. The Rabbi emphasizes compassion and understanding without necessarily validating behavior. He also reflects on the distinction between casual homosexual relations and the sanctification within marriage.

  • Conversion and Familial Relationships (22:23): An intellectually fascinating aspect of conversion is explored, where familial relationships are legally erased, leading to potential situations that would be Halachically allowed but Rabbinically forbidden.

Law 3 - Do not participate in bloodshed.Permalink

  • Abortion and State Involvement (24:12): Rabbi Breitowitz discusses the issue of abortion within the Noahide laws. He also highlights the potential dangers of state involvement in enforcing religious beliefs and the double-edged sword of utilizing secular law to advance religious objectives.
  • Justifiable Homicide and the Law of Rodef (31:00): The concept of justifiable homicide in self-defense or to prevent loss of innocent life is explained.

Law 4 - Do not robPermalink

  • Theft and Intellectual Property (34:54): The prohibition against theft is expanded to include intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The Rabbi explores the complexities of theft in modern society, including the downloading of copyrighted material from the internet.

Law 5 - Do not eat flesh from a living animalPermalink

  • Compassion for Animals (37:38): The prohibition against cruelty to animals is discussed, emphasizing compassion not just for humans but for animals as well. The Rabbi explores the broader implications of this commandment, including animal experimentation and the moral considerations of food consumption.

Law 6 - Don’t curse G-d.Permalink

  • Blasphemy (42:12): The prohibition against cursing G-d is explained, differentiating it from cursing someone in the name of G-d. This rare occurrence is considered a serious offense.

Law 7 - Do establish lawsPermalink

  • Laws (43:04): The most intriguing of the Noahide laws, the seventh law, is explored in depth. According to Maimonides, it mandates the creation of a court system to enforce the other six laws. According to Nachmanides, it’s a legislative obligation to create additional laws for a fair and equitable society, including taxation, environmental regulation, welfare laws, and more. This law acknowledges the freedom of political debate and the latitude to fashion societies based on justice.

Beyond the 7 lawsPermalink

  • Natural Morality (49:04): The concept of natural morality is introduced, supplementing the revealed law of the Noahide commandments. This includes intuitive moral obligations such as giving charity to the poor.
  • Deepening the Relationship with G-d (50:14): Rabbi Breitowitz addresses the question of how to emotionally deepen one’s relationship with G-d without the specific guidance of Jewish rituals. He encourages borrowing and adapting Jewish practices, such as Shabbat and holidays, to the Noahide faith. He also emphasizes the importance of study, contemplation, prayer, and community.

A tremendous thank you to Rabbi Breitowitz and the Dutch Noahide Community for producing this video and making it available to the public! It has become one my favorite resources for people who are wanting to learn more about what it means to be a Noahide.

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