- Torah and Jewish Thought
- General Questions
1993
Question
SHALOM
Dear Rabbi,
Can a Ben Noach read the following books:
1) TORAH with RASHIยดs commentary
2) TORAH with RambaNยดs commentary
3) TZENEH UยดRENEH (Yaakov ben Yitzchak Ashkenazi)
4) TANACH
5) KITZUR SHULCHAN ARUCH
6) MISHNEH TORAH
Can a Noahide pray from the folowing books?
1) TEHILLIM
2) JEWISH SIDDUR (Avoidind the prayers that only apply to Jews)
Thanks,
Gonzalo Navarro
Answer
Hello Gonzalo.
First of all allow me to say that I admire your quest for truth very much. As logic dictates, Bnai Noach should concentrate on the 7 mitzvot in which they are obligated. To learn Jewish sources is not only confusing but even counterproductive, because often, the requirements of Jews and Bnai Noach, even on the very same issue, are different (sometimes, the Noachide laws are even stricter than the Jewish ones).
Regarding prayer, yes a Noahide can voluntarily pray from a regular siddur, and as you mentioned, obviously avoiding those phrases specifically for Jews which are simply inaccurate (like the term โthe God of our fathersโ, โyou took us out of Egyptโ, etc.). You can even make the blessings before pleasure (before eating, fragrance, etc.). If you want, you can even pray in a synagogue with Jews (although you should point out to them that youโre not Jewish, for obvious reasons). [Please note that for Christians who are not Bnai Noah, to pray in a synagogue is more problematic]. Similarly, itโs very commendable for Bnai Noah to say Tehillim, which is also like prayer. I suggest visiting one of the sites which deals with the details, of Bnai Noah, see for example:
http://7lawsforhumanity.org/organisation.php.
All the Best,
Rabbi Ari Shvat
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