I can’t shake the compassion I feel for a friend/former girlfriend?
Author: askbneinoahen
Commandments
Rabbi, why only 7 and not 10, and what are the other three commandments
Lonely Noahide
Do you have any suggestions for a long-time Noahide man looking to meet and marry a like-minded woman?
Bnai Noach and tzitzit
Shalom Rabbi, I have a rather lengthy question.
I’m a noahide living in the US, and I attend service on a military base. I asked the Jewish Chaplain on post (who’s actually Orthodox believe it or not) if I could wear tzitzit, under the understanding that I intend to keep a “kosherish” life (ie not eat at McDonalds or anything lol) and may one day convert entirely. To my surprise he told me I could, as long as I recognized that I’m not doing it with the mentality that I’m commanded to do so, and he said that I won’t be rewarded for upholding the mitzvot in Olam Haba as a Jew would be. Honestly that part doesn’t concern me so much. Being allowed to wear them at all is reward enough for me right now; I love doing Jewish things 🙂
What concerns me is that despite his “approval” I noticed many Orthodox Jews seem to disagree. I honestly don’t think the congregants here would find any problem with me wearing something like that, and they know I’m not Jewish. And funnily enough, I know that the Rambam technically allows for this, although recommends not doing so out of practicality, or doing something like tucking them in. Mainly because of being mistaken for a Jew in a non-kosher environment. So I’m wondering if this would be OK. I was thinking of buying some “tzitzit” fringes online from one of those hebrew-christian stores. OK hear me out here… They would be custom colored. Rainbow pattern to be specific. To represent the Noahic Covenant. Instead of the traditional white-only or blue and white fringes. The website call them kosher, but I’m questionable of that. If anything, I think that if they happen to be non-kosher, that should also solve the “lishmah” issue some people are worried about. Here’s a link to what they look like:
http://www.holywordcafe.com/ebay/Retail-Rav-Amram-Gaon-Noachide(Large)-Size3.jpg
What do you think? Is this an appropriate alternative? I’m well prepared to explain myself to anyone who happens to be curious why I’m wearing those colors. Or could/should I wear the normal tallit katan that Orthodox Jews wear (again the community knows me, i would be careful not to wear them in a non kosher place, and besides I’d really like to convert one day any way). Or was my rabbi totally wrong in thinking that it’s OK for me to wear tzitzit at all? Input is greatly appreciated!
Why the Bnei Noah have not an obligation to honor parents?
Question:
Why an obligation to honor parents don’t include into the Seven Commandments of Bnei Noah?
In 9 chapter of Genesis it is said about Noah’s Commandments – about Commandments which were be given to Noah. But there is no Commandment of Honour the parents. I was surprised by this fact. Thanks.
Answer:
Gaon Rabeinu Nisim said that Bnei Noah have a lot of another Commandments that were not be included in Seven Commandments. Seven Commandments unclude six Commandment which establish moral restriction: the prohibition of murder, the prohibition of theft, the prohibition of idolatry, the prohibition of blasphemy, the prohibition of adultery, the prohibition of eating parts of the living.
Seventh Commandment tell about an obligation to establish the justice court, and there is great disagreement over what exactly this means. Most believe that this Commandment includes the establish of courts and the imposition of punishments for breaking the six other Commandments. Besides this positive commandment, all others in the Commandment are prohibitions, and among them there are no positive Commandments that show what to do. Thus, the Commandment to respect parents is not included in the seven Commandments. Rabeinu Nisim says: it is obvious that in every society there are things that are recognized as logical and necessary by all people. And Bnei Noah must observe them.
It is also clear that in some cultures Bnei Noah may consider certain actions to be right and necessary, while in another culture such actions may be considered meaningless. Thus, in those cultures in which certain actions are considered correct and positive, Bnei Noah must observe them, while in other cultures they may not be necessary.
Thus, in principle, for all sons of Noah, regardless of the culture to which they belong, restrictions can be established, but commandments should not be established.
And society can decide for itself that some things are right and important for serving God, for example, the American Thanksgiving, about which some great rabbis say that there is a obligation to celebrate it.
Rav Yeshayahu Hollander
Both the ten Commandments and the seven Commandments of Bnei Noah list the Commandments for which, under certain conditions, a person can be sentenced to death. Thus, Bnei Noah are required to observe the commandment of respect for parents, but in case of violation they cannot be sentenced to death.
Rav Ouri Cherki
establishing a center
Shalom Rabbi, I am interested in opening a Noahide center in Encino California, is there a program that you suggest? are there materials that you provide or sell? Any suggestion is greatly appreciated
Thank you
Miracles, Healings, Goosebumps
1) Do you believe that Supernatural Miracles … in its truest
sense,
• still happen today, whether on a personal level,
• … and if so, would it happen .. because God has endowed an earthly individual
• (such as there were .. in the bible days of the Tanach, ..prophets)
• .. with the “Gift of Miracles, or –of Healing?”
• … or could an individual .. praying and petitioning to God ..have a personal encounter
• .. for example .. an Angel of the Lord to show up and give a message to them personally.. that can be life-changing.
Does similar incidents still happen today ..in the 21st Century?
2).. There has been times that I have listened to the Rabbi give a profound message, comment, or sermon … So what does it mean ..when I feel “sheer goosebumps” cascade across my face, head, or arm for a brief moment …either “during or immediately following” the time they speak …whatever the subject, topic, etc.???
So, what would that “feeling” mean to someone who hears various messages from the Rabbi
• ..is that “feeling” a confirmation?
• ..or is that “feeling” trying to speak to that individua, personally,l to do whatever was mentioned?
• ..or that it applies to that person’s present situation
o ..either as an answer to a dilemma?
• ..or a Word from the Lord to the individual who had that “feeling?”
• ..or to move that individual to “action,” etc?
Prayer, and a number of other things.
Shalom Rabbi
I have been a Noahide for just over five months now. I feel as though I have found my calling and it feels as natural as breathing.
I am also so glad that the Noahide World Center exists. I have so many questions, which I am excited to have answered at your earliest convenience.
Question One: Prayer
1. Should I recite the same prayers as the Jewish People over certain foods, including the standard beginning section?
2. If not, what prayer would be best suited for a Noahide over meals?
3. How many times a day should I pray, and is it necessary for me to pray a three times a day, as well?
4. Should I pray after meals, and when I wake up?
5. Is kneeling a pagan custom while praying, or is it permissible because ISAIAH 45:23, and what is the holiest posture to adopt?
Question Two: Holidays
1. Which Jewish holidays can a Noahide celebrate, and how?
2. I am not certain but I believe I am the only Noahide in my country. Where should I best celebrate holidays?
Question Three: Sexual Morality
1. Are the sexual immorality mitzvoth’s concerning bestiality and incest; only?
Question Four: Marriage
1. Is it compulsory, am I commanded, to get married?
Question Five: Manners
1. If a person (Asian) bows to me, as is their custom, may I bow back if it is a greeting?
Thank you very much in advance for your time and effort.
With much Torah blessings.
prayer book
Shalom Rabbi, I am trying to B.H” start having classes to promote the Noahide life, but I am in need of prayer books. I do not see a link to a online store at your site, is this something that you are working on and meanwhile where would I be able to purchase and if there is more than one book then which one would be your suggestion?
Thank you
Mordechai Hakimpour
Tarzana ca.
Reading “Christian” texts
I see a big difference between the Christian Scriptures (I do not want to use the term “New Testament” except to clarify that it is a misleading title for the collection of books I am refering to) and what the majority of churches teach. In addition I see major differences between the Aramaic Christian texts and the Greek (just as differences in the Tanak when comparing the Hebrew with the Septuagint). My questions are these? First, is it acceptable for a Noahide to read, study, and even use these texts for guidance and teaching if one does not accept or practice the idolatrous aspects of Christianity? Second, is there value in studying these texts for academic study? Are there specific prohibitions relative to these questions? Thank you.