Is Noahide Theology the Equivalentof “Natural Laws”?
Seven Laws for a Better World
Question:
I’ve always thought that Noahide Covenant theology was the equivalent of Natural Law theory. Isn’t it why we should be united in affirming the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Pledge of Allegiance, because ethical monotheism is shared ground?
Answer:
We cannot say that the Noahide Commandments were derived in an intellectual way from human observations of the functioning of the natural order, even with the understanding that the natural order was created by G-d according to His wisdom, and that G-dliness is invested within it. The first six of the Noahide Commandments were given directly by G-d to Adam in the Garden of Eden.
This happened on the very day Adam was created, before he ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil! In such a state of perfection, what was the need for a set of commandments?
In the original Hebrew, the word commandment (“mitzvah”) also means “connection.” There seems to be an infinite separation between a finite human and the Unlimited G-d, but this gap is bridged when a person accepts G-d as his or her King.
This is done by submitting one’s own thought, speech and actions to G-d’s infinite will and wisdom, as they have been contracted into the form of the Divine commandments that one has been given. This informs a person about how to connect with G-d by behaving in the way of the Truth-based, authentic faith in the midst of the natural order.
Thus the faith of the Seven Noahide Commandments brings the true concept of unity to the world. This means both the unity of G-d (monotheism directed toward the true Creator and Director of the universe) and the unity of mankind (a world in which all people come to the One G-d in peace and harmony).
This is the meaning of the prophecy (Zechariah 14:9): “G-d will be King over the entire earth; in that day, G-d will be One and His Name will be One.”
In summary, the 7 Noahide Commandments, and their application, are not dependent on anyone’s subjective interpretation of the observed natural order.
Brought by Rabbi Moshe Perets
Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva of Brussels in 2011. He has a medical degree by the University of Louvain in Brussels as well a Masters in Biomedical Research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has for the past years focused on Psychotherapy and developed a new approach: Deep Soul Therapy. He is a spiritual mentor, teacher, coach, and healer who has helped facilitate profound shifts for hundreds of people around the globe. His teaching activities at the Noahide Academy allowed students from all over the world to live passionate, purposeful lives, connect more intimately with G-d, and reveal the hidden light and power of their souls. Rabbi Moshe Perets lives currently in Israel with his wife and 5 children.
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