Essay: B'NAI NOAH: THE RELIGION, THE DANGER!

BY: Rabbi Israel Chait

On a practical level this means a Ben Noah must avoid introducing any kind of ceremony or symbolic act, be it of a personal nature or related to institutions such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc. Does this mean the Ben Noah can do nothing of a religious nature? Most certainly not! The Ben Noah can and should be actively involved in the study of Torah pertaining to him which is infinitely vast and deep. He may, and in certain instances must, pray in accordance with the manner which the Torah prescribes. He may voluntarily perform almost any mitzvah, commandment, provided he receives instruction first from the proper Rabbinic authorities. He is prohibited to take upon himself some performance of his own liking even if, according to his own understanding, it is supported by the Bible. He must consult with the scholars of Torah and follow their ruling. "According to the Torah which they teach you and the judgment which they tell you, shall you do. You shall not turn from the word which they tell you to the right or to the left (Deuteronomy 17:11,12)."