Seven Mitzvos Bnei Noach

Mnemonic and source verse to understand this concept

THE BIG THREE

• עבודה זרה – Don’t worship idols
• שפיכת דמים – Don’t murder
• גלוי עריות – Prohibited relationships

• אבר מן חי – Eating limb from a living animal
• את השם ברך – Curse (bless) the Name
• גזל – Stealing
• דין – Establish court system

Sanhedrin 56: These 7 laws above are alluded to in this verse (Bereshis 2:16):

• ויצו Commanded: How carry out? Set up courts (7th from above list)
• ה' Merciful aspect: He takes the trouble to speak to us. The worst we can do is to use His name to curse. (5th)
• אלקים Might think plural. Need to know one force controls everything (1st)
• על האדם Why "about" instead of "to"? Can mean in regard to people and known from next lesson, the story of Kayin (2nd)
• לאמר Indicates speaking to future generations. Must have appropriate relations to have generations to pass the information to (3rd)
• מכל עץ הגן Permitted to eat, not from that which is stolen (6th)
• אכל תאכל Eat that which is food, but not torn from a living animal (4th)

All of these seven Mitzvos to Bnei Noach are general commandments with many details. Transgressing any one of them is considered such a breach in the natural order that the offender incurs the death penalty. Chazal termed this as, "Ben Noach - Azharaso Zo Hi Misaso" - "Any act prohibited to a Ben Noach invokes the death sentence" (RAMBAM Hilchos Melachim 9:14).

Besides these seven-major Mitzvos, Chazal received a tradition that there are other Mitzvos and prohibitions that are incumbent upon Bnei Noach. The Beraisa (Sanhedrin 56b) notes certain Tana'im who list other prohibitions that are incumbent upon B’nei Noach. These additional prohibitions include:

1. Dam Min ha'Chai, not to eat blood that is taken from an animal when it is alive.
2. Sirus, not to perform castration.
3. Kishuf, witchcraft.
4. Harba'as Behemah, mating animals of different species.
5. Harkavas ha'Ilan, grafting trees of different species.

The Amora'im add two more prohibitions:

1. Keeping Shabbos, that is, choosing a day of the week on which to refrain from work (Sanhedrin 58b).
2. Learning Torah other than the portions that deal with the seven major Mitzvos above (Sanhedrin 59a).

The Rambam (ibid. 8:11) writes that all Bnei Noach, who accept upon themselves the Seven Mitzvos and are careful to keep them, are termed "Chasidei Umos ha'Olam" ("the Pious Ones of the Nations") and they merit a share in the World to Come. However, they must keep these Mitzvos specifically because HaShem commanded them in the Torah through Moshe Rabeinu. If they keep and perform these Mitzvos as logical guidelines for the survival of the world, they are not termed "Chasidei Umos ha'Olam." When a Ben Noach fulfills a Mitzvah of the Torah that is not prohibited to him, he receives the reward of an "Eino Metzuveh v'Oseh" - "one who performs a Mitzvah in which he was not commanded." This reward is less than the reward of one who performs Mitzvos in which he was commanded (Bava Kama 38a, Kidushin 31a).

SEFIROS AND THE LAWS OF BNEI NOACH

Based on Kabbalah and Meditation for the Nations By Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh

SefirahBnei Noach LawInner DimensionDivine MeditationColor of RainbowחסדLoving kindness Prohibition Against AdulteryLoveContinual Recreation of RealityBlueגבורהMight Prohibition Against MurderFearStanding in Awe Before G-dRedתפארתBeauty Prohibition Against TheftMercyRecognizing G-d’s MiraclesYellowנצחVictory Prohibition Against IdolatryConfidenceCommitting to Self-transformationVioletהודAcknowledgment Prohibition Against BlasphemySincerityBecoming a Servant of G-dOrangeיסודFoundation Prohibition Against Eating Flesh from a Live AnimalTruth/FulfillmentExperiencing Divine ProvidenceGreenמלכותKingdom Establish a Just Legal SystemHumilityMaking a Home for G-d on EarthIndigo

At what age does a non-Jew become obligated in the Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach?

Do they become obligated at 13 years old or perhaps earlier? The concept that the age of 13 years is a part of the measurements that are “halacha to Moshe from Sinai” which the Rambam states only applies to Jews. Thus, non-Jews might be obligated earlier. Chasam Sofer indicates that non-Jews are obligated in these seven Mitzvos from birth but due to ones (unpreventable circumstances) are not punishable until one would reach the age of understanding these concepts. Chedas Yisrael writes that a non-Jew becomes obligated at 13 years old just like a Jew.

The Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach also applies to Jews. A Jewish child is not punishable for violation of the Mitzvos. However, perhaps a Jewish child of understanding is also obligated for punishment for these Mitzvos? The Gemara (Sanhedrin 59a) states a principal that there is not something that is permitted to a Jew that is forbidden to a non-Jew, so that when a non-Jew converts one would become more lenient. Thus this might be a difficulty according to the opinion that non-Jewish children are punishment for failing the Seven Mitzvos if the Jewish children are not obligated. The Ohr Sameach writes that for this very reason the Jewish children are obligated in the Seven Mitzvos just like the non-Jewish children.

The Bais Shaarim deduces a unique reasoning. The concept is expressed that even Bais Din is not required to prevent a child from prohibited actions (like eating non-kosher food). This concept only applies to Mitzvos that only the Jews are obligated. However, the Seven universal Mitzvos that a non-Jewish child is obligated, also apply to a Jewish child and thus, Bais Din and anyone else must actively prevent the Jewish child from transgressing.

However, many cite the statement of the Rema that a Jewish child that hits a parent does not need to do Teshuvah when one becomes an adult (but should seek means of forgiveness). This is one of the Seven Mitzvos (honoring one’s parents) that such a hitting would obligate a non-Jew. Shevat Levi also states that a child is not commanded in Mitzvos until one reaches the proper age and the above reason does not apply (there is not something that is permitted to a Jew that is forbidden to a non-Jew).

Are female non-Jews also obligated in the Seven Mitzvos of Bnei Noach?

The verse (2,16) from which we derive the Seven Mitzvos was said to Adom haRishon prior to the creation of Chava. The Torah teaches (Kiddushin 35a, Sotah 28b) that are equated to men in regards to punishments (with certain exceptions). However, this applies to Jews and thus, non-Jewish women may not be equated to non-Jewish men in this matter. Regarding the situation in Schem, only the men and not the women were killed by the children of Yaacov as punishment for violation of one of the Seven Mitzvos.

The Mahari answers that non-Jewish women are obligated in the Seven Mitzvos just like the non-Jewish men. His source in the verse (2,16) is the word לאמר which is understood as saying to others. In reference to Adom the only other person available to be told was Chava. The Tzlach states that the comparison between men and women only applies to Jews. Meiri states explicitly that non-Jewish women are equated to non-Jewish men and no distinction is made between the status of men and women regarding the Seven Mitzvos.