Noahide vs. Jew

B"H

Introduction

The question of whether it is better to remain a Noahide or convert to Judaism carries profound implications for an individual's spiritual and ethical life. Noahidism, based on the seven commandments given to Noah, is seen as the minimal ethical code for all humanity. However, the limitations of this system, especially in the modern era without a Temple and functioning Sanhedrin, complicate its practice and its ability to foster a meaningful religious life. Judaism, on the other hand, offers a rich and structured path to spiritual fulfillment through the observance of 613 commandments, including those that build a personal relationship with God, a community, and a deep connection to Torah study. This essay explores the limitations of Noahidism and why conversion to Judaism, with its more comprehensive system of commandments and communal support, is the preferred spiritual path.

Noahidism: A Universal Ethic with Limitations

The Noahide laws, also known as the Seven Laws of Noah, are intended as a moral framework for non-Jews to live by. According to the Rambam in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 9:1-2, these laws include prohibitions against idolatry, murder, theft, sexual immorality, eating the flesh of a living animal, and the requirement to establish courts of justice. While these laws serve as an ethical baseline for humanity, they do not form a complete religious system. This becomes particularly challenging for Noahides who seek deeper spiritual engagement and an ongoing religious life.

One key limitation is that the Noahide laws, by themselves, are insufficient to sustain a full religious observance. As the Rambam writes in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 8:10, the Noahide laws are not intended to create a full religious framework, noahidism are a substandard set of rules. Non-Jews are not obligated to observe the commandments given specifically to the Jewish people, such as those relating to the Sabbath, dietary laws, or festivals. Additionally, the absence of a Temple and all 12 tribes in the lane, as alluded to in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim chapter 8 (because only when all of Israel all 12 tribes are in the land and there is a working temple and Sanhedrin Israel can make war with other nations), makes the ideal enforcement of the Noahide laws impossible. Without a functioning Sanhedrin and Temple, the opportunity to fully observe these laws within the context of a structured Jewish society is unavailable.

The Jewish Path: A Complete and Structured Framework

In contrast to Noahidism, Judaism offers a comprehensive spiritual system designed to cultivate a personal relationship with God and an ethical life rooted in divine commandments. The 613 commandments outlined in the Torah and halacha (rabbinic rulings), along with beautiful customs and concepts that have evolved over centuries, that guide Jews in every aspect of life, including prayer, rituals, family life, and moral conduct. These commandments are not merely ethical guidelines; they form a holistic system that governs an individual's connection to God, their community, and the world.

The opportunity to convert to Judaism is one of the most significant aspects of Jewish law, offering non-Jews the chance to join the covenant of the Jewish people. Conversion allows an individual to assume the full responsibility of Torah observance, entering into a deeper relationship with Hashem through the performance of the 613 mitzvot. We teach in Judaism, A gentile who converts to Judaism is like a newborn child, without any prior history or sins, and becomes as one born into the Jewish people. This covenant, marked by the observance of the commandments, is central to the Jewish spiritual path.

Judaism also provides robust support through its communal structures. Jews live within a network of synagogues, schools, and communities that foster spiritual growth, support religious observance, and ensure that individuals can sustain their commitment to Torah. For a convert, joining a Jewish community provides not only access to Torah learning but also a social and spiritual support system that helps maintain religious observance and ethical living. The sense of community in Judaism is vital for long-term spiritual growth and engagement.

Noahidism vs. Judaism: A Halachic Perspective

Halachically, there are significant differences between Jews and Noahides. The Rambam clearly distinguishes between the two groups in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 8:11, where he states that "the righteous among the nations have a portion in the World to Come," but also asserts that Jews are bound by the 613 commandments, while Noahides are obligated only to observe the Seven Laws. These distinctions highlight the different spiritual paths and responsibilities of each group.

Judaism offers a deeper, more comprehensive framework for religious observance. The 613 commandments provide Jews with a way to sanctify their lives and their actions, including commandments related to prayer, festivals, and personal holiness. A convert to Judaism is not only responsible for the universal ethical commandments but also takes on the full range of Jewish practices that deepen one’s connection to God and the Jewish community. Mishneh Torah, not just Hilchot Issurei Biah but all of Sefer Kedushah itself, outlines how the Jewish people are bound to a higher set of obligations, while Noahides are given a more basic ethical system that does not encompass the full religious and spiritual depth of Judaism.

The conversion process itself is also halachically significant. As noted in Rambam Mishneh Torah Issurei Biah chapters 13 and 14 and Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 268, the act of conversion marks the entry of a non-Jew into the Jewish people, providing them with a new spiritual identity and responsibility. This transformation is profound, from a legal and spiritual perspective, as the convert enters into a legal covenant that God made with the Jewish people, a marriage contract involving His Torah.This process involves commitment to observing all aspects of Jewish law and is seen as the most complete spiritual path.

Noahidism vs The Jew the perceptive Jew whom follows Yeshua

A Jew with a commitment to Torah observance and halacha offers a spiritual depth and structure that Noahidism, with its limited commandments, does not and can never fully provide. For those who follow the teachings of Yeshua within a Traditional Jewish framework, this opens the doors to a rich heritage of Torah commandments, festivals, and traditions that foster a closer relationship with Hashem. Observing Shabbat, kashrut, and the full cycle of mitzvot integrates one’s faith into daily life, providing both a personal connection to God and a shared identity with the Jewish people. Noahides can never achieve a level of spiritual alignment with Jewish values, embracing Torah and halacha as a Jew who follows Yeshua allows one to live in harmony with Jewish law, drawing from centuries of halachic guidance and the wisdom of rabbinic teachings. This approach not only enhances individual spirituality but also roots one in a covenantal relationship with Hashem, which is continually deepened through Torah study and observance.

Chabad Noahidism

Chabad has done significant outreach in promoting the Noahide laws to non-Jews, the movement’s emphasis on Kabbalistic ideas as a foundation for Noahidism raises many halachic concerns. In Jewish thought, Torah first and then Halacha are primary authorities guiding religious practice and ethical standards, providing a structured and practical framework based on the Torah and Halacha (i.e. the legal rulings of the court). Kabbalah, though deeply respected and integral to Jewish spirituality, is intended primarily as a mystical tradition for those steeped in Torah study and observance.

By relying on Kabbalistic principles to encourage Noahidism, Chabad is presenting a mystical system to those who lack the background in halachic study necessary to fully contextualize these teachings. Halachically, the Noahide laws are meant to serve as a basic ethical foundation for non-Jews, in Israel with a operating temple and Sanhedrin for those whom do not wish to be apart of the Israelite people…not a pathway into esoteric Jewish concepts. Upholding Torah and Halacha over Kabbalah is a legal responsibility. Trying to turn Non-jews into Noahides without imposing a proper halachic framework which requires a Temple, all 12 tribes, and a Sanhedrin, cannot fulfill its intended purpose.

The Practical Limitations of Noahidism

Practically, the absence of communal support for Noahides is a significant challenge. Unlike Jews, who have access to Torah study, prayer services, and religious guidance through a well-established communal network, Noahides often find themselves isolated. This lack of structure makes it difficult for them to sustain a lifelong commitment to their ethical observances, leading many to drift away from their religious commitments altogether. In the Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Melachim 9 and 10, highlights the need for communal support in observing the Noahide laws, which are effectively impossible to fully practice without the proper societal and institutional structures such as living in land where the 12 tribes live and there is an active temple and Sanhedrin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Noahidism provides a universal moral framework, it lacks the depth and structure that Judaism offers through its comprehensive system of commandments and communal life. The absence of institutional support for Noahides, the lack of access to Torah study, and the practical difficulties in observing the Noahide laws without a functioning Temple all point to the limitations of this path which leads to atheism and secularism. Conversion to Judaism, on the other hand, offers a deeper and more fulfilling spiritual journey. Through conversion, an individual gains access to the full range of Torah observance, a vibrant religious community, and a structured path for spiritual growth. As the Rambam notes in Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Issurei biah 14, Jews are held to a higher standard of ethical and religious observance, and the opportunity to join the Jewish people through conversion provides the most complete path to spiritual fulfillment. For those seeking a meaningful and comprehensive relationship with Hashem, conversion to Judaism is the preferred spiritual path.