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.

Join them LIVE every Tuesday evening,

9pm EST, 8pm CST, 6pm PST at:

http://okbns.org/VY_Discussion.html

The weekly discussion group with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Dov Yitzchak is based on the “Service From the Heart; Renewing the Ancient Path of Biblical Prayer and Service” with approbation from Rabbis Yoel Schwartz and Yechiel Sitzman, Jerusalem. And “The Divine Code” by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, in the Noah Chat room. Tuesday nights at 9ET for two hours.

see above link for more details

iHeartNoahides polled our readers asking:

What is the single most important next step for Noahide communities?

The number one response was “Child & Youth education”

Having said that, iHN excitedly presents our exclusive interview with Kristine Cassady, Co-Founder, President, and Administrative Director of N.O.A.H. : Noahide Online Association of Homeschoolers.

All bold and italics and links were added by me, the editor of iHN.

It is my honest opinion that N.O.A.H. is laying the foundation for establishing real, non-web-based Noahide communities around the world.  Of course, it first begins online, as you will read in the interview.

Wishing you well, dear readers!
Happy Pesach.

- Daniel

p.s. my offer to hear your story and present it on iHN still stands.

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March 2009

Can you start by telling us about N.O.A.H.: Noahide Online Association of Homeschoolers?

N.O.A.H. is a subsidiary organization of Noahide Nations created to meet the needs of Noahide parents and children.

Although our name seems to limit our scope to homeschooling, our desire is to assist all Noahide families. It is a common opinion that parents who use public or private schooling options are not homeschooling their children; however, N.O.A.H. would like to challenge Noahide families to think differently.

We believe all Noahide parents are in fact homeschooling for a portion of their child’s education- the most important element of their education, actually, which is spiritual awareness and growth. After evaluating the need for Noahide specific material, a small group of three homeschooling mothers, including myself, came together under the Noahide Nations’ banner to devise a solution to the problem of limited resources for Noahide parents. The result was the foundation of N.O.A.H.: Noahide Online Association of Homeschoolers. www.NoahideHomescool.org

What services will N.O.A.H. offer?

The services we offer are closely tied to the goals we have set for the organization, which are multifaceted.

We feel there is a great need for Noahide specific Torah-centered material, so we have devoted part of our organization strictly to curriculum development for Torah related topics- emphasizing the Noahide perspective, including Parsha lessons and the feasts and festivals.

To maintain the highest standards possible, all of N.O.A.H.’s curriculum will be written from an observant orthodox viewpoint, but geared toward a Noahide audience. We believe rabbinical oversight is an important element and will have rabbinical approval of our curriculum material prior it becoming available to members.

We also believe strongly in the need for establishing meaningful relationships within the global Noahide community and will offer community building services like separate online forums for parents, teens, and elementary aged students, featured articles written by fellow Noahides on relevant education or parenting topics, and a service we are really excited about- our individualized notification to members of other member families within their region. This notification process will allow families to build (form) small groups of support and begin the process of the true community building we all know is needed. A core ingredient of attaining our organization’s goals is our Education Department which is responsible for creating the curricula, classes, and resources for N.O.A.H.’s members, and lead by Elisa Jay.

Will you only focus on the spiritual education of children or branch out?

Our primary goal, at first, is to fill the very real “hole” in resources available to Noahide parents regarding Noahide spiritual growth, understanding, and lifestyle. We hope to achieve this by the on-line classes and original Noahide Torah curriculums I mentioned earlier; as-well-as offering printable activity sheets for each of the 7 Laws, Torah lesson plans, creating original children’s books, and forming a Noahide appropriate book list. We are putting a lot into N.O.A.H. and are really excited to see where it could go.

So, all of that to say, once we have produced enough material to get parents going on the spiritual front, we will venture out into the academic fields. Our Educational Director (and Vice-President), Elisa Jay, has already started to create an ancient world history curriculum that incorporates the Torah timeline and corresponding Jewish calendar dates. She also has plans for a high school level science program that will introduce Torah science and how it applies to all the different disciplines within the currently accepted scientific arenas.  It will be a process and take time to develop these resources.

Some of our other future academic goals include writing Noahide specific guides for the Humanities, such as literature, art, and music, and establishing a high school level course in political science and psychology from the Noahide viewpoint.

I just want to reiterate to your audience that all material created by N.O.A.H. will have orthodox rabbinical approval prior to becoming accessible to members.

How will people access all of these amazing resources?

As our title implies, our organization is based solely in cyberspace and all of our resources will be available at our website: www.NoahideHomeschool.org.

Our website is divided into three separate spaces; one is the Home site mainly for parents/ adults to access family related material and support.

The second section is our Student Zone which is dedicated to students age 13- 18 years old.  Age appropriate Torah-centered educational material, printable documents, and a link to the teen community are all found in the Student Zone.

Our third area, the PlayScape, is set-up for students ages 5- 12 years old to use along with their parents, preferably.  Again, it will have age appropriate Torah-centered educational material, activity pages, and a link to the N.O.A.H. community forum for them to connect with other Noahide students.

Now, the public will have access to the Home site, but both of our student spaces are password protected and we have created a social network for our community forum site which allows parents to monitor where the students are while giving the students a place of their own to get to know fellow Noahide youth, you can visit the N.O.A.H. Community at www.NoahideHomeschool.ning.com.

So, membership to N.O.A.H.: Noahide Online Association of Homeschoolers will allow people full access to all of your services?

Yes and there is an additional benefit…it is all free to the public!

What can you tell anyone interested in helping N.O.A.H?

We are currently seeking illustrators, experienced curriculum developers, professional educators, or others with a passion for Torah and children.

I would also like to mention to our Jewish friends, please let the Gentiles in your community know about us and the work we are doing to bring Torah truth to the Gentiles in our communities.  As we know, there is a lot of confusion out there and well-meaning people are wondering around without proper direction and basing their faith on misinformation.  Noahides need all the help we can get to spread the truth of Torah-centered living–so if a gentile comes to you for direction–please let them know about us.

You may contact me at KristineCassady@NoahideNations.com if you wish to volunteer your time or talents to our organization.  I’d love to hear from you.

The below history was compiled by Rabbi Bindman in his book “The Seven Colors Of The Rainbow.”  I have not yet read this book, but found the following excerpt very interesting.

The Noahide and Jewish readers should take to heart that Noahides have had a G-d-centered relationship with the Jews for millenia.  This is not a “new” phenomena.

In my opinion, this perspective is far more empowering to Bnei Noach than pretending that the Noahide-Jew relationship is a novel concept.  Rather, you are part of a great chain of people who similarly strove for G-d against all odds.

What is novel, is that humanity is steadily approaching the redemption.

-iHN

*******

Mesopotamia, origin of seventy nations

Following the flood, humanity was still one united body, living in one place, the area now known as Mesopotamia or Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through a fertile plain. Here the people had settled and given birth to children. Their state of security was so great that they began to consider themselves the masters of all creation, ready to challenge G-d Himself for supremacy. They saw their own unity as the key to this, and they did not commit the sins of banditry and sexual infidelity (bestiality) for which the previous generation had been condemned. They were kind and loving to one another, but they grew arrogant as a group and decided to build a high tower, the Tower of Babel, from which to gain an access to heaven.

(Natural History Museum - London. w/permission)

This was a form of idolatry (violation of the Covenant of Noah), and their punishment from the heavenly court was that their languages should be confused. They would no longer understand each other as before. This was the origin of separate languages as we now have them; seventy basic tongues were established, from which all of today’s languages descended. This was also the number of the actual nations of the non-Jewish world before they were subdivided and intermingled. (more…)

I was just perusing the Noahide classifieds at NoahideNations.com

I wasn’t actually looking for someone.  I just wanted to read how Bnei Noach are describing themselves to the world.  I found it facinating, inspiring, and fun.

(w/permission)

Since I don’t think it fair privacy (nor legal?) to copy&paste the classifieds from NoahideNations.com, here’s your chance to share your bio, story, or message to the world.  This blog is read by different types of people from all around the world.

You can remain as anonymous as you wish, please just indicate how you wish to be addressed.  Pictures, poems, or links will be considered as well.

Your bio/message/story to the world can be sent to NoahGear (AT) gmail (dot) com
or use the contact page.

This is the first issue of “Connections,” from September 2008.
The magazine has contributions from many of the major leaders and visionaries driving the Noahide community today.  You can download the PDF file from NoahideNations.com.

Just a note of clarity about terminology:

“Rabbi” in Hebrew is “Rav” which is a title, as in “President Washington” or “Dr. Jeffres”

When a person has a personal rabbi that they “cling” to and go to for guidance and questions, they often refer to that particular rabbi as “my rav” or “my rebbe.”

The term “rebbe’ is used as a title instead of, or in conjunction with “rabbi/rav,” mostly in Chassidic circles, such as Chabad and Breslev.  Whereas other Orthodox Jewish circles simply use the term “rav” such as “Rav Moshe Feinstein” or “Rav Ovadyah Yosef.”

On having a rebbe, in “Pirke Avos” “Ethics of Our Fathers” it says:
“Accept a teacher (rav) upon yourself, acquire a friend for yourself, and judge everyone favorably.”

*********

Guest post by: Alice Jonsson from Breslev.co.il

The current news out of Israel illustrates how profoundly vital it is that more non-Jews than ever immediately turn to Hashem and His Torah. Unfortunately I could write that sentence just about any day of the year and it would be true. I could also substitute pretty much any country. Take Denmark for example. That’s correct. Denmark.

Apparently Danish headmasters are now telling some Danish Jews that they should send their children elsewhere for schooling because of the large numbers of Arabs, specifically Palestinians, in some of the schools. They claim they will not be able to keep the Jewish kids safe. Grown adults claim to be incapable of keeping children from attacking minorities in their schools.  Gentile to Gentile, this is what I have to say to those Danes: when grown folk, as we say in the South, can not control their children there is something horribly amiss.

Number two, sometimes the worst aggressors are the so-called passive aggressors, those who perpetrate violence by doing absolutely nothing. When you throw Jewish children to the wolves, or let the wolves take over, instead of getting rid of the wolves, you can bet the wolves will be coming for you next. Be grown folk and take charge. Or at least have the guts to admit that perhaps you do not want the Jews there in the first place.

I live in Atlanta, GA. If in the year 2009 a school in Atlanta said that African American or Latino students should go elsewhere because the administrators just won’t be able to keep them safe from racist whites or whomever, can you imagine the totally justifiable outcry? Oprah Winfrey would be filming live in the parking lot. But Jews in Denmark. Feh. Next the Danish government will be recommending that Jews all confine themselves to a small part of the country and live behind large stone walls with giant iron gates. To keep them safe. This is what happens to the world when non-Jews do not live by the Seven Commandments.

But how do we help people to learn about these commandments? How do we live with them ourselves? (more…)

As noted in my previous post, I hope to continue making occasional posts.  My goal is that they will be valuable useful posts, since I will only be able to write them from time to time.  Enjoy!

********

Shalom!
please refer me to another noahide site, esp one that most takes [Rebbe Nachman's] vibrations into account!

- E. from Israel

Dear E.,

I’m glad you would like to connect with fellow Jews who are involved with Bnei Noach.  That is wonderful.

You will have to do some searching on your own.  The most comprehensive list of Noahide-related sites that I know of can be found on WikiNoah.org.  Some of the links may be outdated, but you should be able to find some interesting stuff.
See WikiNoah link:
http://wikinoah.org/index.php/Websites

I assume that by “Nanach” you mean “Breslev” and the teachings of Rebbe Nachman who lived in a town called “Breslev.”  The Jewish community that has been most active in teaching and reaching out to Bnei Noach is Chabad, followed more recently by Breslev.

CHABAD
The Lubavetcher Rebbe of blessed memory was adamant that teaching the 7 mitzvot to the nations is our duty as “a nation of priests/ministers,” and that doing so will transform our world into a peaceful community.  One could say that it was the Rebbe who reawakened the Jewish (and non-Jewish) world to the path of Gentiles in Torah - a path that lay mostly dormant in Jewish history due to the hardships of the Jewish exile.

Today, on the footsteps of the Moshiach, the Jewish people are far more secure than in previous generations.  Therefore we are now able to build the bridges between Jews and Gentiles for living life according to Torah.  This is leading up to Moshiach when the Jews and Gentiles will have a G-d-centered relationship of peace.
See Chabad link:
http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/62221/jewish/Universal-Morality.htm

BRESLEV

Rabbi Lazer Brody (”Rabbi Rambo”) is affiliated with the “Chut Shel Chessed” Breslev yeshiva lead by Rabbi Shalom Arush. Rabbi Lazer Brody is in communication with some Bnei Noach, including native Americans who have an affinity toward G-d, the Jewish People, and the Torah.  He writes about them from time to time on his award-winning blog “Lazerbeams.”

Here are a list of posts relating to Bnei Noach from Rabbi Lazer Brody’s blog.
See Rabbi Brody link:
http://lazerbrody.typepad.com/lazer_beams/bnai_noach/index.html

Breslev.co.il has a Bat Noach journalist named Alice Jonsson who writes a lovely column on Breslev.co.il - she brings thoughts, perspectives, and words of Torah.  Some of them have been posted on iHeartNoahides with permission.
See Breslev.co.il link for her writings:
http://www.breslev.co.il/searchresults.aspx?text=alice+jonsson&type=1&fullType=authors&language=English

NATIONAL
Other than Chabad and Breslev, the more national and long-term-vision type of leadership has been spearheaded in recent years by Rabbi Yoel Schwartz who represents the Nascent Sanhedrin in Israel.
More info about Rav Schwartz in this link:
http://www.wikinoah.org/index.php/Yoel_Schwartz

Also Rabbi Chaim Richman of The Temple Institute in Jerusalem (http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm) has done a great deal for the BN community - some of my Bnei Noach friends consider Rav Richman their personal rav.
See Rabbi Richman link:
http://www.lttn.org/

I thank you for the email, and wish you the best.

Shabbat Shalom,
Daniel

Hello dear readers.

The internet where I live is being discontinued because of its ill-effects on the children who live here.  That ends my ability to continue running this site, at least for the time being.  I am running into unhealthy time constraints with my professional life as well, so discontinued internet service is not so untimely, to be honest.

This site will stay up because it is used as a resource by people searching for answers, and arriving at iHeartNoahides.com

I can still be reached via the Contact page and email, which I can check outside my home on a regular basis.

I hope to continue work with B’nei Noach sometime down the road, in some form or another.  I do plan to continue this site once my situation changes, so be sure to check back every so often - you’ll probably find an occasional post.  You are wonderful people.

- Daniel

Since I created this site in July 2008, a number of people have arrived at this post searching with the search-terms “Noahide Tzitzit” (or similar words).

(photo used with permission)

I’m not sure why people are searching “Noahide Tzitzit.”  There are two reasons I could see why:

1) They are looking for information on the prophecy in Zechariah which describes the G.d-centered relationship Gentiles will have with Jews in the End of Days.

2) They are looking for information on some misinformed practice of Gentiles wearing tzitzis (fringes on cornered garments, such as in the above picture).

The iHeartNoahides.com website follows the halachic rulings of Rabbi Yoel Schwartz.  As regards the question of should B’nei Noach wear tzitzit or other prayer garments, Rabbi Schwartz says as follows:

***

(source: WikiNoah)

Prayer garments for non-Jews must not have the Tzitzit (special corner fringes) which are commanded for Israel as a sign of their covenant [with G-d].

Rabbi Yoel Schwarts recommends that our [B'nei Noach] prayer garments incorporate some reminder of the Rainbow Covenant [which G-d made with Noah]. Whether it is in the form of a robe, scarf, or shawl wear it in the spirit of reverence and humility. Unless, one is sitting at a meal, one who is able to do so stands during prayer. — Rabbi Yoel Schwartz, Oklahoma B’nai Noah Society DRAFT Rosh Hashanah prayer book

***

I will add my own opinion:

“In the spirit of reverence and humility”

That means that the purpose and function of your prayer garment is to influence your heart and mind toward a state of reverence and humility toward G-d, which is the proper state of mind to have while praying.

No matter if your prayer is during a moment of great joy, such as a wedding, or a moment of great sadness, such as a funeral, the spirit underlying your joy or sadness should always be reverence and humility before Whom you are expressing your joy or sadness.

May your prayers always be heartfelt and sincere, whether or not you choose to don a prayer garment.