This week's section is called Mishpatim, laws. In the Torah, three words appear that refer to the concept of laws, each with its own meaning:
1) Mishpatim: This refers to rational laws, that is, laws understandable to the human intellect. Even if God had not explicitly stated them, we would have deduced them, and they are fundamental for a healthy society based on mutual respect. In fact, some sages believe that non-Jews should also abide by these precepts, in addition to the well-known seven commandments of the sons of Noah (Do not blaspheme, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not eat meat from a living animal, acknowledge God, and establish a system of justice). The reason for this, as mentioned, is that these are fundamental precepts for the normal coexistence of all human beings, and God created the world to be populated, with different countries and peoples.
2) Eidot: refers to testimonial laws, that is, laws whose objective is to remember a certain event through performing a certain action, such as Shabbat, remembrance of the Creation in seven days, Pesach, remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, Shavuot, remembrance of the Giving of the Torah, etc.
3) Chukím: refers to irrational precepts, that is, even after the Torah commanded them to be fulfilled, they remain incomprehensible to the human mind, such as not eating certain animals (laws of Kashrut), not mixing wool and flax, etc.
However, the reasoning that human beings come up with for the commandments, even for the Mishpatim, is not the "true" reason for the Divine commandment, since it is impossible to grasp Divine wisdom as it truly is. Even the reasoning that appears in the Torah for certain commandments is not the "true" reasoning; that is, it is not the Divine will as it truly is, but rather consists of human interpretations of the Divine intellect. In other words, the revealed reason for each commandment is the human framework for understanding, according to our capacity, the Divine will.
Hasidic masters go a step further in understanding the meaning of Torah precepts, including those of the Mishpatim type. They explain that there are two types of commandments: 1) Commandments that create life, and 2) Commandments that are created from life.
All mandates and laws (such as the civil and criminal codes of each country) created by humankind are born from life itself. Based on the experience of their creators, the jurisprudence known at the time, and their understanding of the limits of human depravity, law codifiers enshrine in an orderly and precise code all the cases they can imagine and/or have witnessed. This is why each country, according to local conditions and the era, has different codes and laws, and these are modified over time.
On the other hand, the commandments of the Torah create life. Divine commandments mold and shape life exactly as God intended it from Creation. That is why they are the same everywhere and throughout all time. It is on them that a person should focus their attention in order to live a full life in accordance with God's Will.
The Rebbe always emphasized that the Seven Laws of the sons of Noah are not literally only seven, but that each one of them contains many ramifications.
At this point, however, clarification is necessary, because many Bnei Noach believe, or are led to believe, that they can simply choose any of the 613 mitzvot and begin practicing it, without awareness or discernment of whether it is appropriate or not. Generally, these individuals are already Judaized and Judaizing, and therefore end up appropriating what is not rightfully theirs. It is precisely here that the issue of two types of mitzvot for Bnei Noach—permitted and prohibited—be emphasized.
As you rightly pointed out, the mitzvot known as mishpatim are the permitted ones, those that the bnei Noach can voluntarily practice, even in order to receive some merit.
On the other hand, there are mitzvot forbidden to the Bnei Noach, the identifying mitzvot (that is, those of identity), those known as edot, the practices that constitute a sign between Hashem and His people Israel (which are not few; including Shabbat - kiddush, havdalah ... -, tallit, tzitzit, tefillin, mezuzah, etc).
Rabbi Tuvia Serber, could you please give your opinion on our statement?
Grateful,
Hi, I invite you to watch a video on this topic on my YouTube channel, where your question is discussed in the comments. In any case, I agree with you that it would be good to clarify this matter explicitly. God willing, I will do so through a video. Best regards!
Yes, we're already watching your videos, great.
However, it would be interesting and very important if the gentleman could write a specific piece on this topic.
The point is that the Noach people shouldn't be upset or hurt by learning the truth (that they shouldn't appropriate the Edot). And the rabbis shouldn't be lenient about this so as not to alienate these gentiles.
Rambam writes in his Laws of Kings, chapter 10, law 10:
A son of Noah who wishes to perform one of the mitzvot of the Torah in order to receive a reward, we do not prevent him from doing it as the law (halakha) commands. The Radvaz writes in commentary on these words of the Rambam:
""And if he wishes to do it by saying that he was commanded (by Hashem) to observe the mitzvah, we do not allow him to do it, but only if he performs it to receive a reward in the same way as someone who was not commanded to perform a precept and performs it. [...] However, in the precepts that require holiness (Kedusha) and purity (Tahara) such as Tefillin, Sefer Torah and Mezuzah I indicate being strict and preventing him from doing it.".
The examples mentioned are those given by the Radvaz himself. Clearly, the issue does not depend on the category of Mitzvah, whether it is Mishpat, Edot, or Chuka, but rather (in the Radvaz's words): "holiness and purity.".
It is clear that the observance of the seven commandments of Bnei Noach should not be Judaized, nor should these seven commandments be considered a gateway to future conversion. Being a Ben or Bat Noach is a matter in itself, and Judaism is a different matter altogether.
Greetings!