Seven? Noah’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

Before the Ten Commandments, there were the Seven Noahide laws. We learn of them in the Torah Portion Noah.

The Portion Noah richly chronicles the tale of the famous ark builder and animal wrangler. The passages include the famous flood story, a dove with an olive branch, and an amazing rainbow. The rainbow, in that moment, signified that the earth would never be subjected to another worldwide destructive flood. The Noahide Laws were enacted at that time.

The Biblical Landscape

Despite Noah’s tale being wildly popular, history reveals prior ancient literature addressing the topic. The Babylonia Epic of Gilgamesh pre-dates Noah. Similarly, the Torah does not present the Ten Commandments as to the creation of law. Rather the Torah tells of Abraham, the founding father of Judaism, originating from a sophisticated ancient society. He left from his home, the City of Ur in the Chaldeans, to venture into the Levant.

Thus, at the time of the Ten Commandments, the world contained sophisticated civilizations. This understanding is important to help define the Torah’s contributions towards the advancement of civilization.

The Torah represents a set of values that emerged from both conflict and cooperation with a multitude of other societies. This concept is best captured in Genesis 12:3. God tells Abraham that all of the families of the earth will be blessed through him. This blessing has been proven true. Torah values have reshaped the civilizations who have engaged with the Children of Israel. The Torah and the Ten Commandments, as well, were influenced by older civilizations.

Noahide Laws

In the Portion Noah, the post-flood laws issued from God involved the consumption of animals and murder. See Genesis, Chapter 9:4-7. These laws within the Torah, however, fall short of the seven. Rather, it is Rabbinical sources that expand upon them.

A footnote from the Sepharia website elaborates upon the entirety of the Noahide laws.

“…The descendants of Noah, i.e., all of humanity, were commanded to observe seven mitzvot: The mitzva of establishing courts of judgment; and the prohibition against blessing, i.e., cursing, the name of God; and the prohibition of idol worship; and the prohibition against forbidden sexual relations; and the prohibition of bloodshed; and the prohibition of robbery; and the prohibition against eating a limb from a living animal.

Differences and Similarities of The Two Sets of Laws

On a superficial level, the Ten Commandments and the Noahide laws have much in common. There are matters of idolatry, the employment of God’s name, murder and theft that bare close similarity. There are others that are similar in a different fashion.

Some of the Noahide laws are simply included within the Torah but were not part to the Ten Commandments. The slaughtering of animals as well as sexual relations fall within this category.

Likewise, the Noahide law concerning the establishment of courts of justice impliedly addresses truthful testimony. Competent evidence is an integral part of a justice system.

Missing from the Noahide laws are the Sabbath, Honoring One’s Parents, and the Prohibition against Coveting.

The Significance?

With respect to the Sabbath, one can argue that it was a sign of the Ten Commandments. Therefore, it compares to the rainbow as a sign for a covenant.

The Sabbath, while a day of rest, also creates a work ethic; an expectation of six days of labor. The Sabbath, as a sign, further incorporates concepts of freedom from bondage as well as a connection to God. By the Ten Commandments, the Children of Israel were connected to the Deity by sharing the day off.

Conclusion

The Noahide Laws provides a greater understanding and appreciation of the Torah’s role with respect to civilization. Only when one understands and appreciates the contributions of prior societies can one truly understand the Torah’s role. Moving forward from this, one must inquire “why does the Torah remain relevant to contemporary societies?” For this, I invite your comment.

Be well!!

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