The Doctrine of the Noahide Laws

Abstract

This chapter discusses the concept of Noahide law as a border concept that reconciles Judaism and the non-Jewish world. The Noahide (“son of Noah”) is a description of the gentile who deals with Judaism during the time before Torah was given to Israel, separating Israel from other nations. This chapter also describes the historical origins of the Noahide laws. The Noahide laws are a pre-Israelite institution that was used to compose the succeeding Israelite foundation of the resident-alien. Historical studies show that the foundation of the resident-alien came before the concept of Noahide law. The concept of Noahide law emerged after the Jews gained political control over the gentiles. The Jewish recognition of the moral independence of gentiles is also presented in this chapter. It discusses the question of whether Noahide law is to be enforced by Jews for gentiles or by gentiles for themselves.