What is Noahide culture?

It’s certainly not whatever-Jews-seem-to-do.  Nor is it whatever-Gentiles-seem-to-do.  So what is it?

First of all, we need to understand that what most people think of as “Jewish Culture” is not really Jewish.  It’s the expression of assimilated Jews into their host culture.  A prime example is Chanukah in America.

The core concept of the Chanukah story is Jews defending Judaism against those who wanted to assimilate into Greek culture.  This included Jew vs. Greek and Jew vs. Jew, r”l.  Tragically Chanukah in America has a lot to do with assimilation (8 days of presents?) and little to do with Judaism.

I recently saw cards and books such as the ones below at a Jewish Museum gift shop (of all places).

This is not an expression of Judaism.  It is an expression of America’s melting pot.  Orthodox Jews prefer that America (at least) be a salad bowl of distinct foods rather than a melting pot of indistinct alloy.

So what is true Jewish culture?
It’s the thing you find in every Jewish culture around the world.  Iraqi Jews never heard of European klezmer music because Klezmer music is only a byproduct of Jewish exile in Europe¹; it is not inherently Jewish - however, both European and Iraqi Jews read from the Torah, study Talmud, eat matzah but not chametz on Passover, etc.

True Jewish culture is Torah and Mitzvot (commandments).

So what is true Noahide culture?
If there even is such a thing as Noahide culture, I would like to suggest it is that which is found in every Noahide home and Noahide community, no matter where they are on the planet.

True Noahide culture, in my opinion, is the expression of love, admiration, and reverence for the G-d of Israel, His Torah, and His People.

The question is, what direction will American culture take from here on out?

Land of Noahides or Land of Other-hides?
Land of Jefferson or Land of Hamilton?

To be continued in the next post…