Why do people refer to the phenomenon of Gentiles coming back to the G-d of Israel as “the Noahide movement.”  And why do I think we should stop using this word, movement?

Here are two reasons not to use the word movement, and two reasons to use a different word: community.  The Noahide community.

Reason #1 not to use “movement”

Random House Dictionary defines a movement as:

a diffusely organized or heterogeneous group of people or organizations tending toward or favoring a generalized common goal: the antislavery movement; the realistic movement in art, etc.

The word movement does not accurately portray what is going on here.

(bottle rocket flying into the night)

What we have are human beings seeking out the G-d of Israel in order to live a lifestyle in accordance with G-d’s Will and Wisdom, the Torah.  This is a lifelong journey for the individual, and an eternal journey for mankind.

Yet the word movement connotes what our Sages called “ahavah sh’teluya ba’davar” - a love that depends on something.

“Any love that depends on something, when that thing ceases, the love will cease. But if it does not depend on anything, it will endure forever…” (Avos 5:19)

A movement depends on attaining their goal.  The civil rights movement.  Boy did it move! They changed America.  And now where are the people marching in the streets?  Where are the speeches across America?  There are none (no major ones) because the goals were achieved - American law was changed forever.

Are the Noahides part of a movement, then?

I say no.  You are not riding a bottle rocket that will fizzle out and pop.  Heaven forbid!  You are builders, not rocketeers.

Reason #2 not to use “movement”

The word movement, in my opinion, is far too synonymous with “religion.”  As pointed out in the Noahide Nations Radio Show (I believe they did, forgive me if I’m wrong), and quoted from Rambam, it is forbidden for Gentiles to create new religions or create new religiously obligatory practices, such as moving the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first day (Sunday), etc.

Hence, voluntarily wearing “Noahide tzitzit” may be okay and even praiseworthy according to the Rav Yoel Schwartz and the guidelines he gave for how to go about it.

The danger, however, is if, ch”v two generations from now Noahide descendants coming to believe that to be a Noahide one is obligated to wear “Noahide tzitzit.” Not only would that be false, it would be forbidden to hold such doctrine!

Although it is sometimes necessary to use the word “religion” or “theology” to describe what it is that guides your life, the word “movement” sounds like a “new hip religion” - as opposed to more appropriate use of these terms by the Oklahoma Bnai Noah Society:

Noachide theology is the same as the theology of Judaism. However, non-Jews are not required to accept all the details of this theology to the extent that Jews are. Observant Noachides are the Non-Jews in Judaism. Just as the Priests, Levites, women etc… have particular Laws given to them at Sinai, so do Noachides have particular Laws and together we all make one True Universal Religion, walking in the Ways of our Creator. [emphasis added -iHN]

We see the the word “movement” is not only inaccurate, but is also a potential stumbling block to the less learned person considering the Noahide community.

Reason #1 for using “community”

Like I said, Noahides are building.  They are building a life they want to live, they are building homes to raise children with values from the Torah, they are building a future world of peace amongst all peoples.  These are not transient goals that fade with time.

The word “community” better describes the building that is going on, which is really the essence of avodas Hashem - service of G-d.  They are not actions that will fade away with the attainment of longterm or short term goals.  Rather, they are actions that will blossom over time.  A community grows.  A community blossoms.  A community branches out and forms other like-minded communities.

(a beautifully built, peaceful garden)

This is what I see happening…not a bottle rocket movement.

Reason #2 to use “community”

Although I quoted the OKBNS above, I think it important to clarify what they said in the last line:

…together we all make one True Universal Religion, walking in the Ways of our Creator.

Let us not make the terrible mistake of thinking that “walking together” means intermarriage between Bnei Yisrael and Bnei Noach, Heaven forbid.

Of course every Noahide knows that would be against the Torah.  But it’s important to make sure we don’t inadvertantly sew seeds that could later on lead to big problems of intermarriage, ch”v.  If we lead ourselves to such a mistake, everything will be for not.

However, if Noahides are a community of people, and Jews are another community of people, then we have two distinct entities that also share common goals, values, and purpose.  Separate communities.  Similar values.

In Conclusion

(Distinctly different communities, working toward shared goal.)

We see that the word “community” is much more empowering and visionary than the transient word “movement.”  Community connotes geographic base, and growth such as with school systems and social networks. Additionally, the word community better ensures that the Noahide path is not adultered into a new religion. And finally, the word community clarifies Bnei Noach as a distinct entity, separate from the Jewish communities with whom they cooperate toward the common goal of walking in the Ways of our Creator.

Addendum

Why has the word movement been used?  I have some thoughts.  Mostly I think it just happened.