* Copied (from: EDGE_ONLINE) by Steve Asher using timEd/2 1.10.y2k+.


Noachide Laws

"Ultimately, all is understood: fear G-d and observe His commandments,
for this is the completion of man."
Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 12:13

With respect G-d's commandments, all of humanity is divided into two
general classifications: the Children of Israel and the Children of
Noah.

The Children of Israel are the Jews, the descendants of the Patriarch
Jacob. They are commanded to fulfill the 613 commandments of the
Torah.

The Children of Noah are the Gentiles, comprising the seventy nations
of the world. They are commanded concerning the Seven Universal Laws,
also known as the Seven Laws of the Children of Noah or the Seven
Noahide Laws.

These Seven Universal Laws pertain to:

   1. Avodah Zarah: Prohibition on idolatry.
   2. Birchat HaShem: Prohibition on blasphemy and cursing the Name of G-d.
   3. Shefichat Damim: Prohibition on murder.
   4. Gezel: Prohibition on robbery and theft.
   5. Gilui Arayot: Prohibition on immorality and forbidden sexual relations.
   6. Ever Min HaChay: Prohibition on removing and eating a limb from a live
      animal.
   7. Dinim: Requirement to establish a justice system and courts of
      law to enforce the other 6 laws. 

Men and women are equal in their responsibility to observe the Seven Universal Laws.

When a Gentile resolves to fulfill the Seven Universal Laws, his or
her soul is elevated. This person becomes one of the "Chasidei Umot
Haolam" (Pious Ones of the Nations) and receives a share of the World
to Come. The Torah calls one who accepts the yoke of fulfilling the
Seven Universal Laws a "Ger Toshav" (a Proselyte of the Gate). 

(snip)

Full article at Ahavat Israel ...
http://www.ahavat-israel.com/ahavat/am/goyim.asp


Cheers, Steve..

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