Noahide Campaign
Encyclopedia
The Noahide Campaign refers to a campaign by Orthodox Jews
of the Chabad
movement to influence all non-Jews to follow the Noahide Laws
. This was one of the Mitzvah campaigns
of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
, leader of Chabad.
Aside from prescribing laws for Jews, the Torah contains a universal moral code directed to all non-Jews, known as the Noahide laws. Briefly, this code forbids non-Jews from murder, blasphemy, idolatry, adultery, robbery, tearing off flesh from a living animal and consuming it, and failing to set up courts of justice to enforce the above laws.
, the Jewish people were entrusted with the mission of promoting this message to all mankind, but have been largely unable to carry it out historically due to the threat of religious persecution.
He believed that without these laws it is impossible for non-Jews to attain true ethical behavior and that in general, non-Jews are still wanting in basic observance of the Noahide Code, never mind complete observance.
The Rebbe called numerous times to involve every single Jew in this campaign, whether great scholars, Jewish community workers, lay leaders, or simple laborers, pointing out that Maimonides obliges everyone to join. The Rebbe especially charged all his Shluchim with this task, and emphasized that it even involves reaching out to non-Jews in places uninhabited by Jews.
He deduced from this that failure to engage in this campaign is also detrimental to Jews living among non-Jews. Conversely, he declared that concerted efforts to promote the Noahide Code carry the secondary advantages of bringing material prosperity and boosting Jewish pride.
He emphasized that God grants every single individual the ability and opportunity to play an active role in the Noahide Campaign.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
of the Chabad
Chabad
Chabad or Chabad-Lubavitch is a major branch of Hasidic Judaism.Chabad may also refer to:*Chabad-Strashelye, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism*Chabad-Kapust or Kapust, a defunct branch of the Chabad school of Hasidic Judaism...
movement to influence all non-Jews to follow the Noahide Laws
Noahide Laws
The Seven Laws of Noah form the major part of the Noachide Laws, or Noahide Code. This code is a set of moral imperatives that, according to the Talmud, were given by God as a binding set of laws for the "children of Noah" – that is, all of humankind...
. This was one of the Mitzvah campaigns
Mitzvah Campaigns
Mitzvah Campaigns, or Mivtzo'im is a term coined by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the Chabad movement, to refer to his various initiatives calling his followers, and all Jews, to reach out to less affiliated Jews and encourage them to undertake specific...
of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Rebbe
Rebbe , which means master, teacher, or mentor, is a Yiddish word derived from the Hebrew word Rabbi. It often refers to the leader of a Hasidic Jewish movement...
, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Menachem Mendel Schneerson
Menachem Mendel Schneerson , known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe or just the Rebbe among his followers, was a prominent Hasidic rabbi who was the seventh and last Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. He was fifth in a direct paternal line to the third Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, Menachem Mendel...
, leader of Chabad.
Aside from prescribing laws for Jews, the Torah contains a universal moral code directed to all non-Jews, known as the Noahide laws. Briefly, this code forbids non-Jews from murder, blasphemy, idolatry, adultery, robbery, tearing off flesh from a living animal and consuming it, and failing to set up courts of justice to enforce the above laws.
Rabbi Schneerson's campaign
Rabbi Schneerson taught that according to MaimonidesMaimonides
Moses ben-Maimon, called Maimonides and also known as Mūsā ibn Maymūn in Arabic, or Rambam , was a preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages...
, the Jewish people were entrusted with the mission of promoting this message to all mankind, but have been largely unable to carry it out historically due to the threat of religious persecution.
He believed that without these laws it is impossible for non-Jews to attain true ethical behavior and that in general, non-Jews are still wanting in basic observance of the Noahide Code, never mind complete observance.
Applicability to all Jews
He taught that the Messianic age is imminent, and concluded that it is therefore vital to help prepare non-Jews for that age by teaching them the Noahide Code. He taught that the closer we draw to this age, the more important this activity becomes. He predicted that non-Jews will be receptive, as they sense subconsciously that they need the Noahide Code.The Rebbe called numerous times to involve every single Jew in this campaign, whether great scholars, Jewish community workers, lay leaders, or simple laborers, pointing out that Maimonides obliges everyone to join. The Rebbe especially charged all his Shluchim with this task, and emphasized that it even involves reaching out to non-Jews in places uninhabited by Jews.
He deduced from this that failure to engage in this campaign is also detrimental to Jews living among non-Jews. Conversely, he declared that concerted efforts to promote the Noahide Code carry the secondary advantages of bringing material prosperity and boosting Jewish pride.
He emphasized that God grants every single individual the ability and opportunity to play an active role in the Noahide Campaign.
Establishing classes in the Noahide Laws
He instructed Jews to delve into the relevant Torah sources; he said that this will infuse one with additional inspiration to implement this campaign. He declared that one should not suffice with influencing one individual, or with teaching on a superficial level; rather, large group classes must be established to teach the Noahide laws in all their details, and not just the dry do’s and don’ts, but the mystical meaning underlying these laws.Promoting the Jews' role as teachers to mankind
He maintained that Jews must promote awareness of what he maintained to be their divinely appointed role to teach the Noahide Code until this role becomes world-famous. He predicted that not only will non-Jews accept this message, but they will even assist the Jewish people in this task. Similarly, he taught that Jews must publicize amongst non-Jews the concept of God’s Absolute Unity as taught by Chasidic philosophy until it too becomes world-famous.Non-Jewish participation in the Noahide Campaign
He believed that creating Noahide communities of many thousands is an attainable goal. Moreover, he taught that non-Jews themselves should be urged to actively spread the Noahide laws, such that the numbers of Noahides will multiply exponentially until the Noahide movement encompasses all mankind.External links
- Noahide Classes in Melbourne, Australia
- Noahide.org.uk - Noahide Classes in London
- Ask Noah International and "The Divine Code" - Shulchan Aruch (Code of Torah Law) for Gentiles
- Public address of Rabbi Schneerson concerning the Noahide Campaign
- http://www.chabad.org/62221The Noahide Campaign, as explained on Chabad.orgChabad.orgChabad.org is the flagship website of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. It serves not just its own members but Jews worldwide in general. It was one of the first Jewish internet sites and the first and largest virtual congregation.-History:...
] - Institute of Noahide Code NY,NY