The Five Levels of Pleasure—and Why Most People Never Feel Full
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I love the Jewish people and have enjoyed reading the many spiritual thoughts on your website. I want to draw closer to God, but from what I’ve read it is a very big commitment to convert. I don’t think I am up for this at this stage in my life. Is there some way to tap into the Torah wisdom without being part of the Jewish people?
Thank you for your inspiring words.
A person does not need to become Jewish to reach high spiritual levels, establish a relationship with God, and earn a reward in the world to come. Enoch "walked with God" and Noah had quite a high level of relationship, though neither were Jewish. Our tradition is that all of the 70 nations must function together and play an integral part in that "being" called humanity.
The Torah presents seven mitzvot for non-Jews to observe. These seven laws are the pillars of human civilization, and are named the "Seven Laws of Noah," since all humans are descended from Noah. Alas, many have forgotten these in the passage of time. Perhaps the best that we can do is to encourage all peoples to keep these and then it would indeed become a very different world. As explained in the Talmud (Sanhedrin 58b), they are:
1) Do not murder.
2) Do not steal.
3) Do not worship false gods.
4) Do not be sexually immoral.
5) Do not eat the limb removed from a live animal.
6) Do not curse God.
7) Set up courts and bring offenders to justice.
Maimonides explains that any human being who faithfully observes these laws earns a proper place in heaven. So you see, the Torah is for all humanity, no conversion necessary.
As well, when King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, he specifically asked God to heed the prayer of non-Jews who come to the Temple (1-Kings 8:41-43). The Temple was the universal center of spirituality, which the prophet Isaiah referred to as a "house for all nations." Non-Jews were welcome to bring offerings to the Temple as well. In fact, the service in the Holy Temple during the week of Sukkot featured a total of 70 bull offerings, corresponding to each of the 70 nations of the world. In fact, the Talmud says that if the Romans would have realized how much they were benefiting from the Temple, they never would have destroyed it!
Today, there are many active groups of non-Jews called "Bnei Noach" who faithfully observe the Seven Laws of Noah. Here are some websites (though I cannot vouch for their authenticity):
There are two excellent books on the topic:
"Path of the Righteous Gentile" by Chaim Clorfene and Yakov Rogalsky
"Seven Colors of the Rainbow" by Rabbi Yirmeyahu Bindman
You will also enjoy this interview with someone who faithfully follows the Laws of Noah: www.aish.com/jw/s/80405497.html
May the Almighty grant you blessings and success in your spiritual search.
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You mentioned the 'seven laws are the pillars of human civilization, and are named the "Seven Laws of Noah," since all humans are descended from Noah.'
This confuses me as Hashem's prophet (Isaiah 56:2-7) spoke of Gentile foreigners and eunuchs who keeps His sabbaths, does no evil, and holds close to God’s covenant is also considered His people without observing the Noahide laws. Your insight into this dilemma of who is a Jew is appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Thank you for raising this important issue. The commentators to those verses understand that the reference is to a non-Jew who wishes to convert to Judaism. He may feel that there is no point converting and observing Shabbat because he will still be separate from the native-born Jews - especially if he has no children (or no further children) after his conversion (in this sense making him similar to a eunuch). But God assures him that he too will be amply rewarded.