General Introduction to B'nai Noah
http://www.rb.org.il/Fellowship%20Noahide/directory/essay1.htm

By Billy Jack Dial

Where did it all start?

Since the dawn of civilization, mankind, who has lived upon the face of the earth, has searched for answers to such questions as "why and how do we exist?" From the very beginning of time, humanity has been provided with a path to follow, to exist and interact between God and the world in which we live. Some of us have wandered from this original path armed with the best intentions and laden with false directions.

Small groups of God-fearing humans throughout history have held up to this original path. The names of these groups have been called by several names, some as simple as God-fearers, or Proselyte of the Gate before and during the Temple times. These original God-fearers today are called "B'nai Noah." The term B'nai Noah in Hebrew is translated to mean the "Children of Noah."

What is the foundation of the B'nai Noah's faith?

The B'nai Noah observe seven general and basic commandments. These commandments were given to Adam, the first God-fearer, and to the biblical character Noah, and are still followed by those looking for a place in the World to Come. For example, what caused Noah to find grace in the eyes of God included the observance of the Seven laws and belief in one God. The purpose of the fulfillment of the Seven Laws is to establish a moral and hence, thriving society. However, this purpose is not an end in itself, but rather a means to allow the Jews to fulfill the Torah. Therefore, the gentiles' acceptance of the Seven Laws must also contain an awareness of the fundamental importance of Torah.

Where did the Seven Laws come from and what are the Seven Laws?

The first human the Bible tells us about is Adam. He was also the first human to fear God. When Adam failed his test by eating the "apple," God did not forsake Adam. God provided help to Adam by giving him six universal commandments to live by and to teach his children. These laws were handed down from Adam to Seth, to Jered, to Enoch. Remember Enoch! who walked with God, and he was no more? He did not need a mediator; God just took him because he held to the tradition. Enoch then, passed them on to Methuselah who passed them to Lemekh, Noah's father, who taught Noah.

What are the Seven Laws of Noah?

1.Do not Blaspheme God's name.

2.Do not worship idols.

3.Do not commit immoral sexual acts.

4.Do not murder.

5.Do not steal.

6.Do not eat the flesh of an animal while it is still alive.

7.Creation of a judicial system.

What happened after Noah?

Noah, continuing the tradition, taught the Seven Laws to his sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Shem, Bearer of the Faith, lived according to these laws of God. Shem taught the laws to his grandson, Eber. Eber and Shem started and maintained schools in the city now called Jerusalem. In these schools, they instructed those who were patient, open, and willing to learn this ancient path. 0ne of the students at the academy in Jerusalem was Abraham. Abraham's learning caused much grief to his family because Abraham's father constructed and sold idols, which is a violation of the laws. Abraham did not believe that these idols were Godly and was forced to leave his immediate family. Abraham's strong desire to be in closer contact with God was put to the test by God. When Abraham had proved his loyalty, he was commanded to circumcise himself and his sons. This covenant became the eighth law. This was the beginning of the Jewish people. Subsequently, Abraham's father left Idolatry and became a God-fearer as well.

God-fearers are elevated.

From Adam to Abraham - the original God-fearers of this monotheistic belief - passed from teacher to student. According to the Mosaic tradition of monotheism, the gentiles (meaning non-Jews) acquire a special status with the universal God of Israel when they embraced these monotheistic beliefs in God and observe the Seven laws of Noah.

All God-fearers then and now are spiritually and categorically separated from the polytheistic religions of the earth and are elevated to new spiritual heights. They have become true God-fearers - Proselytes of the Gate - Righteous Gentiles, etc. R. Joseph Alcastiel makes a comment regarding the gentiles who live according to the universal laws: Taking upon themselves the Seven Noahide Commandments, which are branches of the Tree of Life, by which they live and enter under the wings of the Shekhinah". (Divine Presence). Maimonides of blessed memory states that: "Whoever among the Nations fulfills the Seven Commandments to serve God belongs to the righteous among the Nations, and has his share in the World to Come."

Since all non-Jews are classified as gentiles and are descendants of Noah, does all then make it to the world to come?

No! The gentiles are listed in three categories. Category one is the highest and closest to God: This applies only when one makes a formal commitment in the presence of a Torah Court to accept the Noahide commandments and fulfill them because the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded them in the Torah and informed us through Moses, our teacher. This person is now considered a resident alien, and has his share in the World to Come. Category two is, in a way, good on the human level of existence, but falls short in the eternal existence. If one fulfills these seven commandments out of intellectual conviction, without acknowledging them as Divine commands, he is not a resident alien, nor of the pious among the Gentiles. Category three is one who observes other religions and has no regard for the laws or God of Israel.

Why don't the Ten Commandments override the Seven Laws of Noah?

The Children of Israel (Jewish People) fulfill their obligation by following the Ten Commandments. All Jewish people fulfill their obligation to the Ten Laws that were given to them by way of Moses. This was given to them only.

Biblically, the Jews are known as sons of God. [Exodus 4:22] You must say to Pharaoh, "This is what God says: Israel is My son, My first born." God's only begotten son was and is Israel. Israel consists of hundreds of thousands of begotten sons. [Exodus 19:3] "Moses went up to God. God called to him from the mountain and said, 'This is what you must say to the family of Jacob and tell the Israelites…'" Also in (20:19) "And the Lord said unto Moses: Thus thou shalt say unto the Children of Israel: Ye yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven."

How does this apply to me?

Noah, as we know, was saved by God from the flood. Just ask yourself why did God choose him and no one else? What was it that Noah did that caused God to choose Him? Did Noah have a mediator between him and God? Well, the answer is simple. The main idea of this ancient biblical path is following what God then dictated to Noah and later repeated to Moses, and today God still requires all gentiles to observe. This ancient connection with God has caused positive changes in people's lives and has altered the course of human history. For example, humanity actively attempts to save endangered species of animals from extinction. Noah - a "God-fearer" - saved the human race from extinction because he followed this ancient path. Noah entered into the Kingdom of Heaven without the aid of a mediator. As the Torah specifically states that "Noah found grace in the eyes of God" and not in the eyes of a mediator - and so this can apply to you today!

How do I become a part of the blessed World to Come?

All you have to do is ask God's forgiveness. God will forgive you if you ask Him and follow the laws with the right intent. The God of Noah, Abraham, and Israel is awaiting for all descendants of Noah to return back to the Ark. Do you care to live eternally? God has been waiting for you - hurry now; your time on earth may be coming to a close. Act now before it's too late! The Ark is open to all who will come. Many are called but few choose the original God-made path. Jump off your sinking ship and join us today and say to yourself, "If God saved Noah, he will save me!" [Jeremiah 16:19] "O-Lord, my strength, and my stronghold, And my refuge, in the day of affliction, Unto Thee shall nations come From the ends of the earth, and shall say: 'Our fathers have inherited not but lies, Vanity and things wherein there is no profit.' "

Where then is the truth?

[Micah 4:2] "And many nations shall go and say: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, And to the house of the God of Jacob, And He will teach us of his ways, And we will walk in His paths'; For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Open your eyes and see wherein is the truth! I can't stress enough that as a Christian nation we have blindly inherited the wrong faith from our forefathers. We have been deceived! You have to face the bare facts of reality, this ancient truth, B'nai Noah, is for all non-Jews. Only the B'nai Noah will God, Torah, and Israel accept as an authenticated form of worship apart from Idolatry!

[Billy Jack Dial is the Director of Chavurath B'nai Noach of Atlanta, Georgia.]