The Noahide Laws - Overview Written by Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloomenstiel Yeshiva Pirchei Shoshanim 2014 This shiur may not be reproduced in any form without permission of the copyright holder. Rechov Rabbi Akiva 164, Bnei Brak, Israel 03.616.6340 164 Village Path, Lakewood NJ 08701 732.370.3344 fax 1.877.Pirchei (732.367.8168)
Table of Contents: 1. The Torah s Vision for Mankind a. The Seven Laws of Noah b. History of the Noahide Faith i. In Biblical History ii. In Ancient History iii. Aime Palliere & Rabbi Eliyahu Benamozegh c. The Role of Law in God s Expectations for Mankind d. Interpreting the Torah & the Role of the Jewish People e. Becoming a Noahide f. Ger Toshav vs. Chasidei Umos HaOlam 2. The Religious Laws of the Bnei Noach a. The 7 Laws as Categories b. Guiding Principles of Noahide Law c. The Prohibition of Creating a New Religion d. When to Consult Your Rabbi 3. Fundamentals of Faith a. Who is God? b. God s Relation to His Creation c. God & Law 1
d. The Patriarchs & the Concept of Choseness e. The Torah & the Jewish Covenant f. The Torah & the Noahide Covenant g. The Authority of Torah for All of Man h. Authority of the Tanakh (Bible) i. How to Understand the Bible j. Written Law, Oral Law, & Mysticism How Do They Work Together k. The Soul l. The Supernatural m. Prophecy & Inspiration n. The Messiah o. The World to Come 4. Daily Law a. Awakening in the Morning b. Clothing c. Tzitzis, Tefillin & Mezuzah d. Prayer e. Torah Study f. Honoring Torah Sages & Torah g. Blessings Over Food & Benefit 5. Holiday Observances a. Jewish Holidays & Festivals i. Sabbath 2
ii. Rosh Chodesh & The Jewish Calendar iii. Passover iv. Shavuos v. Tisha BeAv & Fast Days vi. Rosh HaShanah vii. Yom Kippur viii. Sukkot ix. Chanukah x. Purim b. Unique Celebrations for the Bnei Noach i. Birthday of Adam HaRishon ii. Birthday of Noah iii. Receding of the Flood Waters and the Completion of the Noahide Code 6. Noahide Lifecycle a. Gender Relations b. Prohibitions of Incest c. Prohibition of Homosexuality d. Marriage & Divorce i. Age of Marriage ii. Permitted Partners iii. Marriage Ceremony iv. Covering of Hair v. Laws of Marital Relations 3
e. Procreation, Childbirth & Prohibition of Abortion f. Circumcision g. The Noahide Bar Mitzvah h. End of Life i. Visiting the Sick ii. Caring for the Terminally Ill i. Mourning 7. Dietary Laws a. Introduction b. Noahide Meat c. Other Noahide Dietary Laws d. Laws of Jewish & Non-Jewish Foods 8. Civil, Monetary & Criminal Law a. Introduction Torah Law & Civil Law b. Establishing Courts & Judges c. Loans d. Returning Lost Objects e. Employment Law f. Theft & Robbery g. Kidnapping h. Personal Injury i. Causing Emotional & Physical Harm ii. Threatening Another Person 4
iii. Striking a Jew iv. Prohibition of Suicide & Mercy Killing v. Prohibition of Homicide vi. Against Vigilantism 9. Idolatry & Laws of Faith a. Against Believing That There is Any God But God b. Forbidden Images & Icons c. Behavior Prohibited Before Forbidden Images & Icons d. Prohibition of Divination, Signs & Omens 10. Other Laws a. Prohibition of Castration b. Prohibition of Cross-Breeding Animals c. Prohibition of Grafting Trees & Mixing Species d. Prohibition of Masturbation e. Laws of Honoring Parents f. Laws of Interactions With Jews g. Laws of Interactions With Idolaters, Christians, Moslems, and Buddhists 5