G-d Almighty originally made this covenant
with Adam and Eve to observe and to teach to their
descendants so that the world would be civilized. After the Great Flood, Almighty G-d
repeated the Seven Commandments to Noah, his family, and all
their descendants – which includes all of
us. This is the meaning of the term Noahide – Child of Noah.
When Almighty G-d revealed Himself at Mount Sinai, He gave Moses and the
Jewish people the duty to convey these commandments to the rest of
the people of the world. G-d also made a covenant with the
Jewish people containing additional commandments to fulfill.
The Seven Commandments are general categories that contain many
details.
These seven universal laws are a matter of obedience to the Almighty
even when these are part of the laws of our country. Observing
them guarantees peace and goodwill among all people through universal faith.
Any non-Jewish person who fulfills the Seven Commandments because
G-d commanded them in the Torah and informed us through the agency
of Moses, our teacher, that the descendants of Noah had previously been commanded to
observe them, is righteous and earns a share of the Eternal World to Come. Jews
are rewarded for fulfilling their 613 commandments.
HONORING PARENTS and GIVING CHARITY are
time-honored observances that have become part of this doctrine.
In addition, Europeans have accepted that ONE SHOULD NOT COVET OR LUST after anything belonging to one’s fellow (Exodus 20:14 & Deuteronomy 5:18) as part of their moral code. We’ve seen recently how GREED undermines the fabric of society. This is not to say that we are adding an eighth commandment which we are forbidden to do.
Although these commandments seem quite simple, profound principles of
faith motivate us to observe them:
G-d involves Himself with every creature’s life at every
instant, and He provides what is best for each creature.
G-d listens to our prayers. It is fitting to ask
Him for what we need and to thank Him for His kindnesses.
G-d created evil for us to reject and thereby earn
reward.
G-d grants us free choice to obey or transgress His
commandments, so that reward and punishment are in our hands.
G-d accepts everyone’s repentance, and repentance
restores us to a sinless state of being.
We stand poised on the threshold of the
promised Messianic Age. “The Messiah [Mashiach] is ready to come
now. . . .”
Please help by “[doing] something
additional from the realm of goodness and kindness . . . at
least a little more. Then Mashiach [Messiah] will come
immediately.”
— His Holiness, Grand Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson
The Lubavitcher Rebbe
In answer to a question from Gary Tuchman, CNN National Correspondent, “What is the Rebbe’s message for the whole world about the Mashiach?”
