According to Judaism, everyone, Jew and Gentile can earn a place in Heaven. A person does not need to convert to Judaism to lead a meaningful and spiritual life. In fact, Judaism discourages conversions. People are encouraged to serve God the way He made them: A Jew as a Jew, a Gentile as a Gentile. (If someone decides on their own to join the Jewish people and observe all the commandments, they are allowed to convert.)
Every human being has a soul, a piece of Godliness within them. We are categorically different from animals, who do not have souls; we therefore must live very different lives. Animals live based on instinct; they kill, steal and mate at will. There are no rules or justice. Like animals, God gave us instincts and drives, but He also gave us a soul and free will; the ability to use our intellect to override our instincts.
According to Jewish tradition, every Jewish soul was present at Mount Sinai. There, in order to forge a special bond with God, they made a commitment to follow His Torah, the 613 commandments. By following the Torah, they would lead exemplary lives and be, “...A light unto the nations (Isaiah 42:6).”
Gentiles however, were not at Mount Sinai. They are only required to observe the 7 Noahide laws which God gave to Noah and his descendants. When a Gentile observes the 7 Noahide laws because God directed them to do so and not just because the laws make sense, they earn a place in Heaven.
Each Noahide law elevates a person above their animal instincts, and strengthens their soul’s connection to God. When someone observes the 7 Noahide laws, their actions proclaim: “I am not a slave to my instincts. I have a Creator and I follow His will and guidelines.”
The 7 Noahide Laws are:
1. Do not worship false gods.
2. Do not curse God.
3. Do not murder.
4. Do not engage in forbidden relations.
5. Do not steal.
6. Establish courts and enforce justice.
7. Do not eat a limb from a live animal.
God gave these laws to humanity so that we can have a productive and peaceful society. Imagine how blissful life would be if everyone observed the 7 Noahide laws. Problems begin when people act like animals. The more we reclaim our Divine origins, the more godly our lives will become.
Each of the 7 Noahide laws relates to a general category of conduct. For example, the commandment, “Do not worship false gods” includes belief in God and praying to Him. Also included in the 7 Noahide laws are general upright behavior such as being charitable and kind. In fact, the Prophet Ezekiel said about the Gentile city of Sodom which God destroyed, “Behold, this was the sin of your sister Sodom: Arrogance. She and her daughters had plenty of bread and peaceful serenity; yet she did not strengthen the poor and the needy (Ezekiel 16:49).”
To help make the 7 Noahide laws part of your daily life, focus on the following three areas:
1. Do your best to stay away from forbidden relationships and be scrupulously honest when dealing with other people’s money (the two laws which most people struggle with).
2. Strengthen your belief and gratitude to God, through daily prayer and reading spiritual texts and teachings.
3. Look for daily opportunities to be charitable and kind and avoid anything which causes others physical, emotional or financial harm.
When we look at the 7 Noahide laws, we see the type of life God envisioned when He created humanity. Lives of morality and ethics. Lives of spirituality and thoughtfulness for all of God’s creations. Lives suffused with belief in God and gratitude to Him. Lives of humility and kindness. Lives where justice and peace prevail for all.
When the Messiah comes, he will usher in such a world, uplifting all of us, Jews and Gentiles. A time when, “...I will transform the peoples to a pure speech, so that they all call out in the name of God, to worship Him with one purpose (Zephaniah 3:9).” Then, “…The earth will be full of the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).”
There are a number of resources to learn more about the 7 Noahide Laws. Two websites among others are: https://asknoah.org and https://noahideworldcenter.org.
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