Where do we find the Seven Noahide Laws?

The laws are not written down directly and chronologically but 6 of the 7 are described in

Bereshit (Genesis) and 1 in Vayikra (Leviticus):

1.Avoda Zara: Serve only G-d

(Do not worship false gods)

ויצו יהוה אלהים על־האדם לאמר מכל עץ־הגן אכל תאכל

And G-d commanded the Human, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you are free to eat;

Bereshit (Genesis) 2:16 “And G-d commanded the Human, saying.“

We can conclude from this that Adam was given the commandment to obey, honor and serve only the One True G-d, and not to worship false gods.

2.Birkat HaShem: Use G-d's name with respect

(Prohibition of Blasphemy)

In Vayikra (Leviticus) 24:10-17 there is a piece written about a man whose mother was an Israelite and his father was an Egyptian. An argument broke out between the half Israelite and a full-blooded Israelite. The Israelite blasphemed the Name of G-d upon which he was brought before Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses). He was taken into custody until G-d had revealed a decision to Moshe Rabbeinu.

הוצא את־המקלל אל־מחוץ למחנה וסמכו כל־השמעים את־ידיהם על־ראשו ורגמו אתו כל־העדה

“Take the blasphemer outside the camp; and let all who were within hearing lay their hands upon his head, and let the community leadership stone him.”

ואל־בני ישראל תדבר לאמר איש איש כי־יקלל אלהיו ונשא חטאו

“And to the Israelite people speak thus: Anyone who blasphemes G-d shall bear the guilt”

  Vayikra (Leviticus) 24:14-15

“Ish Ish“ (איש איש) literally means “a man, a man“ and refers to every human being. So it is forbidden for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles alike, to curse His name.

3. Shefichut Damim: Respect life

(Do not murder)

ואך את־דמכם לנפשתיכם אדרש מיד כל־חיה אדרשנו ומיד האדם מיד איש אחיו אדרש את־נפש האדם

“But for your own life-blood I will require a reckoning: I will require it of every beast; of humankind, too, will I require a reckoning for human life, of everyone for each other!”

שפך דם האדם באדם דמו ישפך כי בצלם אלהים עשה את־האדם

“Whoever sheds human blood, By human [hands] shall that one’s blood be shed; For in the image of G-d was humankind made.”

Bereshit (Genesis) 9:5-6

G-d clearly lets us know that murder is not permitted and that there is a punishment for bloodshed. Whoever sheds human blood, his blood will be shed by human hands. In this respect, human life is invaluable. Therefore, to destroy a human life is like destroying the whole world. For that person, the world has ceased to exist. It follows that by sustaining a single human life, you sustain an entire universe.

4. Arajot: Respect marriage

(Preserve family integrity)

על־כן יעזב־איש את־אביו ואת־אמו ודבק באשתו והיו לבשר אחד

Hence a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, so that they

become one flesh.

Bereshit (Genesis) 2:24

From this we read that when a man leaves his parental home and takes a wife to himself that they are both bound to each other. It forbids cheating with another person's wife but from this above verse we can also understand that the Torah forbids a man to have a sexual relationship with his mother, his father's wife or ex-wife, with another man or with an animal. It is also forbidden to have a relationship with his sister on his mother's side which is evident from:

וגם־אמנה אחתי בת־אבי הוא אך לא בת־אמי ותהי־לי לאשה

“And besides, she is in truth my sister, my father’s daughter though not my mother’s; and she became my wife.”

Bereshit (Genesis) 20:12 כמעשה ארץ־מצרים אשר ישבתם־בה לא תעשו וכמעשה ארץ־כנען אשר אני מביא אתכם שמה לא תעשו ובחקתיהם לא תלכו

“You shall not copy the practices of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, or of the land of Canaan to which I am taking you; nor shall you follow their laws.”

Vayikra (Leviticus) 18:3

The immoral sexual practices of the Egyptians and also of the Canaanites were an abomination to G-d. The family dynamic is the foundation of society. Sexuality is the source of life in which a new life is created. If it is abused then it becomes degrading and destructive to man.

5. Gezel: Respect what belongs to another

(Don't steal)

ויצו יהוה אלהים על־האדם לאמר מכל עץ־הגן אכל תאכל

“And G-d commanded the Human, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you are free to eat;”

ומעץ הדעת טוב ורע לא תאכל ממנו כי ביום אכלך ממנו מות תמות

“but as for the tree of knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat of it; for as soon as you eat of it, you shall die.”

Bereshit (Genesis) 2:16-17

G-d had forbidden Adam and Chava to eat from the tree of ”knowledge of Good and Evil.” It was not their property and G-d did not give permission to eat from the fruit. In this we learn that we must not appropriate anything that does not belong to us and for which we are not given permission. The prohibition of stealing includes much more than just stealing an object such as, for example: That we may not steal money (physical or digital), we may not cheat, we may not dishonor anyone or entice anyone to commit adultery, we may not kidnap or take hostages, we may not physically or psychologically harm anyone, we may not refuse a claim for money that we are owed, we may not misuse an employer's time, we may not overcharge, we may not use or possess false weights and measures. If we did steal something, even if not intentionally, we can return it or pay for it.

6. Ever Min Hachai: Respect G-d's creation

(Do not eat a limb of a living animal)

כל־רמש אשר הוא־חי לכם יהיה לאכלה כירק עשב נתתי לכם את־כל

“Every creature that lives shall be yours to eat; as with the green grasses, I give you all these.”

אך־בשר בנפשו דמו לא תאכלו

“You must not, however, eat flesh with its life-blood in it.”

Beresjiet (Genesis) 9:3-4

Adam and Chava (Eve) were not permitted to kill animals for food.

Nachmanides explains that the reason for the prohibition of eating meat was that creatures that possess a moving soul have a certain superiority.

 ‘’as regards their soul, resembling in a way those who possess the rational soul: they have the power of choice affecting their welfare and their food, and they flee from pain and death.’’

Ramban al HaTora 1:29

Animals were not allowed to be killed simply for human pleasure. However, one was allowed to kill animals as an offering to G-d as Abel did in Bereshit (Genesis) 4:4. It used to be thought that the animal was raised to a higher state by offering it to G-d. Maimonides thinks that in the Third Temple there will be no animal sacrifices.

This remained valid until after Noah's flood. G-d gave permission to eat animals only after Noah and his family left the Ark. Therefore, G-d gave the prohibition against eating the limbs of a living animal even if the animal is stunned. Eating the flesh of a living animal is the cause of cruelty and selfishness. Even a small amount of meat from a living animal, even if prepared, violates this prohibition.

7. Diniem: Commit to law and order

(Establish courts)

שפך דם האדם באדם דמו ישפך כי בצלם אלהים עשה את־האדם

“Whoever sheds human blood,

By human [hands] shall that one’s blood be shed; For in the image of G-d

Was humankind made.”

Bereshit (Genesis) 9:6

Justice is a fundamental requirement for civilization. If justice no longer existed then the world would fall into a complete chaos. Without a legal system, human beings would become criminals and then be given carte blanche to take over power with all it's consequences. Therefore, a legal system should be established. In the times we know today, the legal system is not based on the 7 laws and G-d's desire for a just civilization. We live under a system of laws established by the state. This legislation includes laws that go against the very Torah.

G-d is just, He is our example to do good but also we learn from Him that it is necessary for courts to exist. An important rule is that we must keep ourselves to the 7 Laws of Noah and in addition we have to keep ourselves to the laws of the land we live in. Strive to be a righteous person, act honestly, do not use deceit and be the best example you can be to those around you. The more this teaching can be spread, the more the will of G-d can be made known in politics and the courts, among others, for a just legal system as G-d desires.

Written by Sarah

The Road of Emunah

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