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Imagine a world in which there was no sense of right and wrong. A world with no concept of justice, no family life, no moral or ethical values.
Answer for yourself: Does it seem frightening? Perhaps a little too real?
Such a society did once exist. Self-centered, grasping, cruel. A society set to self-destruct 4000 years ago, in the Great flood. Out of its demise a new world was born, beginning with Noah and his sons. God entrusted them with a Code of Life, a set of laws on which a new civilization could be built.
This Code of Seven Fundamental Laws is so far-reaching that it gives structure and scope to life for all time, guiding mankind to realize his highest potential as a being created in the image of God.
There are Seven Laws or Commandments required of Mankind. The Seven Laws of Noah are a Guaranteed World Peace Plan. From the dawn of civilization, at the moment of its creation, Mankind has had God-given moral obligations. God ordained that man should keep seven basic Laws of Ethics, laws which form the foundation of a well-functioning society. These are the Seven Laws of Noah. These Seven Laws contain both spiritual and material benefits appropriate to them, and are the basis for a guaranteed world peace plan. The Covenant of the Rainbow is a reminder of the Seven Commandments that lay behind it. By making a Covenant with the whole of creation to never again destroy it because of the sins of mankind, God, in the merit of Noah, made a Covenant of Everlasting Life. In order to inherit this eternal life in the Olam haBa (the World-to-Come), the non-Jew must observe the Seven Universal Laws of Ethics and Morality, based on a belief in God. In fact, the Seven Laws of Noah will bring all of humanity to merit their ultimate redemption...
Man, the weakest of creatures, is surrounded by forces of life and death far greater than himself. Confronted with the vastness of these universal forces, man might well try to 'serve them' in order to protect himself, and better his lot. The essence of life, however, is to recognize the Supreme Being who created the Universe - to believe in Him and accept His laws with awe and love. We must remember that He is aware of all our deeds, rewarding goodness and punishing evil. We are dependent on Him, and to Him alone do we owe allegiance. To imagine that there could be any other power that could protect us or provide for our needs, is not only foolish, but perverts the purpose of life, and, as history has shown, potentially unleashes untold forces of evil in ourselves, and in the world.
The essence of the Seven Laws of Noah is the prohibition against idol-worship, also known as Idolatry. One denies the essence of religion by worshipping another "deity" besides the Creator. We are prohibited from serving or worshipping any created thing - no human being, no angel, no plant, no star, nor the four fundamentals (earth, water, fire, and air), nor anything formulated from them. In order to observe the prohibition against idol-worship, one must become aware of God's unity.
When we feel disappointed with life, when things do not work out as they should, how easy it is to point an accusing finger and blame...everyone...everything...even God. Loyalty and trust are crucial in life. To blame God, curse, or to curse others in His name, is an act of disloyalty-akin to basis of all order and stability, on which a just society must stand.
Blasphemy is the act of cursing the Creator or using His Name to curse something of His Creation. We must not misuse the faculty of speech and communication that God created within us. Blasphemy is an expression of an incomplete faith in God (or an incomplete belief in His Absolute Oneness). This type of blasphemy is epitomized by the false teaching that there are two powers and two kingdoms: God's and Satan's. All such theology denies that God alone is the L-RD and Master of all.
The record of man's inhumanity to man begins with the story of Cain and Abel. Man is indeed his brother's keeper. The prohibition against manslaughter (Including abortion) comes to protect man from the bestial tendency which lies within him. Man the attacker, denies the sanctity of human life, and ultimately attacks God, who created us in His image.
We are prohibited from committing homicide. We are prohibited from killing a human being, even a baby in the womb of its mother (except in the extreme measure of saving the life of the mother). If it comes to "kill or be killed", regardless of the consequences, we are not permitted to commit murder. This means that if one is told to kill somebody or else face being killed (or having a loved one injured or killed), we are not permitted to kill. If one is being pursued, or sees another in danger of their life, we are permitted to interfere with the pursuer. However, one must be very careful to do everything possible to avoid homicide, even in this instance. Mercy killing (euthanasia) and suicide are considered murder, and is therefore forbidden. Capital punishment (when applied righteously) is commanded by God, and is not considered murder - execution is the only permissible blood penalty.
The Bible states, "it is not good for man to be alone," so God made a helpmate for Adam, and in marriage "He blessed them." In a wholesome family, man's creativity finds meaningful expression. Wholesome families are the cornerstone of healthy communities, nations and societies. Nations which have condoned immorality - adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, incest - have never lasted long. Sexual immorality is the sign of an inner decay which spawns a ruthless society, bringing confusion into God's life plan.
Sexual misconduct is prohibited; God has commanded mankind concerning proper sexual behavior and relationships. Within all of Creation, there is no rule that permits any individual to break the sexual laws because of his or her "own true nature." Rabbi Yirmeyahu Bindman observes, "There is no such thing as 'an adulterer' or 'a homosexual' anymore than there is such a thing as 'a thief.'" If one truly needs and desires to do as God wishes, one would be able to withstand the temptation of wrongdoing. The specific laws concerning incest, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality are very clear, and should (and will) be subjected to further review.
Since our sustenance comes from God, we should seek to earn it honestly, with dignity, and not through false means. To violate the property of others, by robbing or cheating, is a fundamental attack on their humanity. This breeds anarchy, plunging mankind into the depths of selfishness and cruelty. It was for this sin, above all, that the Flood was brought upon the world.
We are prohibited from stealing money, or any object (whether animate, i.e. raping or seducing a woman, or inanimate, i.e. physical objects, or even time from an employer, or causing physical or psychological loss), or kidnapping a person. The prohibition of Theft may, in fact, be the hardest of all the Seven Laws of Noah to obey. Opportunity to commit theft presents itself almost constantly.
A robust and healthy legal system, administering justice fairly, creates a society worthy of God's blessing. Establishing a system of judges, courts, and officials to maintain and enforce the law is a far-reaching responsibility. This precept translates the ideals of our personal life into a formal order for society at large. It is the extension and guarantee of all the preceding laws.
Human beings are required to establish Law Courts, or Courts of Justice, to maintain the Seven Laws of Noah. It is pointless to call the Seven Laws "laws" if there are no courts to enforce them when necessary. However, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to observe this commandment in the United States of America - for example, the Constitution of the United States, by allowing "freedom of religion," allows idolatrous practices to be the norm. B'nei Noach cannot, under the laws of the land, establish courts that would mete out punishment for transgression of the Seven Noachide Laws. Fortunately, observant B'nei Noach, when facing litigation between themselves over most issues (with the possible exception being murder/homicide or manslaughter, which is in the jurisdiction of the civil courts of the land), can choose to take their case before a Beis Din, an orthodox Jewish Court, which is halakhically required to rule in these matters. In this manner, B'nei Noach are observing some of the aspects of this prohibition.
God gives man "dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the heaven, over the cattle, and over all of the earth." We are the caretakers of God's creation. Ultimately our responsibility extends beyond our family, even beyond society, to include the world of nature. Eating meat so fresh that the animal is still alive, may be healthy, but is cruel, even barbaric, displaying a decadent insensitivity to the pain of others. This law is the touchstone, if you will, that, measures how well the other six laws are being observed. When man fulfills his potential, the whole of creation is nurtured and elevated to realize its goal. This transforms the world into a beautiful gem - a place where God can dwell.
This prohibition was the last to be given to humanity. It has nothing to do with physical health or hygiene. It has to do with the spiritual constitution, because the eating of live meat is at the root source of cruelty and selfishness. Eating even a tiny amount of living flesh (flesh taken from a living animal), whether cooked or raw, violates the prohibition. The intent of this prohibition is not to promote vegetarian practices. Before the Flood, meat of any kind was forbidden as food. After the Flood, God told Noach that meat would be permitted as long as this one condition was maintained in preparing it. All food prohibitions in the Torah have deep mystical significance, and the prohibition of eating live flesh is explicit, as it is written in Bereishis (Genesis) 9:3-4, "Every moving thing that lives shall be for you for food; just as the green herbs, I have given you everything. But flesh with its living soul, its blood, you shall not eat."
Have you ever thought about how precious gems are made? The process is as exacting as it is fascinating. In cutting a raw stone to make it a precious jewel, the slightest error, can cause irreparable damage.
The Baal Shem Tov says: "everything a person sees or hears has a lesson to teach in the service of God." The lesson to be learned from cutting precious stones is clear. God created the world in six days like an uncut gem. In its 'natural' state, the world has tremendous potential.
Our job in life is to cut and shape the gem which God has given us, and reveal how precious and beautiful it really is. Doing so, we become partners in Creation.
In the business of preparing precious stones, there are many rules that must be followed carefully. So too, in life. In the Bible we find a unique set of laws valid for all mankind, teaching us how to behave in order to realize the true potential of our lives, and bring the world to its most perfect state.
In recent years the Lubavitcher Rebbe has urged that efforts be made to inform the public at large about the nature and meaning of the Seven Laws of Noah. These laws, which outline the ethical and moral responsibilities of all mankind, are the true and proper guide for a world striving to achieve its ideal state.
Biblical scholars teach us that this ideal state will be achieved with the coming of Moshiach. Moshiach (literally "the anointed one") will be a teacher and leader of the Jewish people. He will teach ethics and morality to all mankind. Most importantly, he will establish peace for the entire world.
In the time of Mashiach, there will be neither famine nor war, neither envy nor strife. People will strive to help one another, and a spirit of love and brotherhood will flourish. Most important of all, in the Messianic era, all mankind will acknowledge the unity of God, and recognize that He is the sole Ruler of the Universe.
As the prophet Isaiah said, "the world will then be filled with knowledge of God, as the waters cover the ocean bed" (Isaiah 11:9).
In the past years, we have witnessed unique and miraculous events taking place in the world, especially in Russia and its satellite regimes, and in the Gulf War (with Iraq and Kuwait). We are indeed living in times of miracles, and is our hope that an increased interest throughout the world in the Laws of Noah, will bring us significantly closer to the long awaited time of Redemption, where the world will truly become a dwelling place for God.
The above information taken from: The Path of the Righteous Gentile by Chaim Clorfene and Yakov Rogalsky and this book is published by Targum Press (1987) and is distributed in hardback by Feldheim Publishers.