Seven
mitzvot (laws)described in the
Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 58b) and considered binding on Jew and Gentile alike. They can be considered ethical laws to ensure civility and peace, and served to define the legal rights of foreigners in Jewish territory in biblical times.
The first six mitzvot were given to Adam (beginning at Beresheet/Genesis 2:8,15-20, 3:1-24)
- Do not murder.
- Do not steal.
- Do not worship false gods.
- Do not be sexually immoral.
- Do not blaspheme.
- Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.*
With the ten generations from Adam to Noah flouting these laws, G got a little pissed and initiated the Great Flood. On its completion, (as part of
the Covenant of the Rainbow) the six mitzvot were restressed to Noah and a seventh mitzvah added. The prohibition against the eating of meat was revoked - on one condition (Beresheet/Genesis 9:4):
- Do not eat the limb of a living creature.**
Of course, these laws were also revealed on
Mount Sinai, as part of
the Five Books of Moses (
Chumashe Torah).
Alternative names include: the Seven Noa(c)hide Laws, Sheva Mitzvot B'nei Noach (the Seven Laws of the Children of Noah).
* and all that that entails.
** Kill it, then remove the flesh. I take it the joke about the peg-legged pig is a little risque?
This is really fascinating but I kinda just wandered around www.britannica.com, www.aish.com/wallcam/7_Noachide Laws.asp and www.fastlane.net/~bneinoah/the_7_laws_of_noah.html. Would someone of the faith please locate this with respect to the Ten Commandments and all 613 mitzvoh of the Torah?
Tidbit Time! On March 26, 1991 U.S. President
George Bush, signed into law a congressional resolution on the Seven Laws (H.J. Resolution 104, Public Law 102-14). It states in part: "Whereas society is profoundly concerned with the recent weakening of these principles that has resulted in crises that beleaguer and threaten the fabric of civilized society;" His son seems to be taking this to heart.