- Torah and Jewish Thought
- General Questions
Torah Study and Prayer By Bnai Noah/gentiles
Question
SHALOM
Dear Rabbi,
Can a Ben Noach read the following books:
1) TORAH with RASHI´s commentary
2) TORAH with RambaN´s commentary
3) TZENEH U´RENEH (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 “the God of our fathers”, “you took us out of Egypt”, 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 you’re not Jewish, for obvious reasons). [Please note that for Christians who are not Bnai Noah, to pray in a synagogue is more problematic]. Similarly, it’s 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
Learning Gemara
Rabbi Moshe Leib Halberstadt | Elul 24, 5769

Who is the prince of the kingdom of persia in Daniel 10?
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 16, 5782

Vilna gaon
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Tevet 10, 5782

Is Torah Study Time Dependent?
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | 12 Tevet 5765

Rabbi Ari Shvat
Lectures at various yeshivot, michlalot and midrashot. Has published many books & Torani articles and is in charge of Rav Kook’s archives.

Yericho conquest by Yehoshua
Tevet 28, 5771

baruch hamavdil
Adar I 23, 5771

Evils Spirits & Ghosts
Adar II 25, 5771

Orla
Shevat 19, 5771

Classification - Dati Leumi - Orthodoxy
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Elul 23, 5779

When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773

Mezzuzah for Non Jew
Rabbi David Sperling | Iyyar 18, 5773
rafael or refael
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Iyyar 27, 5783
