Building a Noahide community

Q: What special aids can be prepared to help Noahides establish a community and to decide on rituals to perform? What differences are there between Jewish prayer and that of others? Q: Here are some of my thoughts: 1. Wherever it is possible for Noahides to go to a synagogue, it is nice. What they need ...

Mikveh and Midrash

Q: Immersion in a mikveh / reading the Midrash Q: 1. What is “Rav”? Does it mean Rabbi? A: Yes2. Is a Noahide allowed to immerse himself in a mikveh (a ritual bath)? A: Yes, as long as he does it with the intention of purifying himself but not with the intention of becoming a Jew. 3. ...

Wine touched by a Noachide or a Muslim

Q: If a Noahide or a Muslim touches wine, is it then forbidden to Jews? Q: If a Noahide touches or drinks uncooked wine, does the wine then become forbidden to Jews? A. YesWhat is the rule when Muslims drink or touch it? A: The same. ...

Ruth and Orpah

Q: Did Ruth and Orpah convert to Judaism before marrying Naomi’s sons? Was Naomi allowed to send Orpah back to Moab? Q: In Darash Moshe, Vol. II (a selection of sermons by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein) he comments on Parashat Vayigash (Ber.47:8,9) (see page 80,81). He explains the difference between Yitzchak and Yaacov, and that Yaacov never had ...

A Noahide in Indonesia

Q: Can an Indonesian student who wants to become a Noahide continue to be registered as a Muslim? How can he practice his religion? Q: I am in contact with an Indonesian student with a big problem. He grew up as a Muslim. His family is still Muslim (it seems to ...

Conditions of the Noahide declaration

Q: What are the minimum requirements of the declaration that a Noachide must make? Can a non-Jew accept the declaration or only a Jew? Q: Rabbi Ouri Sherki, “The Universal Message of Judaism” (lecture, Noachieten Nederland, Capelle aan den IJssel, The Netherlands, 10 January 2010): “Baba Kama 38a says that in the beginning of history the ...

The Tanya / the soul

  Q: Why is it written in the Baraita that ‘tsedakah (charity) for an ulterior motive’ is still tsedakah ONLY for Israel and NOT for the idol worshippers? — Questions by: Mattitjahu. Replies by Rabbi Oury Cherki in bold type. 1. The Tanya (end of Chapter 1) refers to Mishlei 14:34 and the explanation from ...

Noahide life not based on the Torah

Q: Can sources other than the Torah serve a Noahide as the basis for his life? What makes a religion not a Noahide movement? — Questions by Mattitjahu; replies by Rabbi Oury Sherki in bold type. When somebody is a Noahide by logic and intellect and therefore accepts the seven mitzvot, then: 1. Is it true that other sources can be his source for his way ...

Souls and conversion

Q: Why does the Tanya speak about two souls? Why are Orthodox rabbis so stringent about conversion?   — Questions by Mattitjahu; replies by Rabbi Oury Sherki in bold type. 1. Why does the Tanya speak about two souls, and the kabbalah about three levels of the soul? (That is: why does the Kabbalah divide ...

Europe and America: building Noahide communities

Q: What differences do you see between Europe and America, in terms of religion and culture? How can we build up Noahide communities, taking into account modern trends emphasizing individuality? Question by Mattitjahu; reply by Rabbi Oury Sherki in bold type. Q: I am curious to hear from you what differences you see between ...