From: Jonathan Lee
Subject: Buddhism’s Compatibility with Noahide Laws

Dear Rabbi Joshua,
As someone deeply interested in the intersection of different religious philosophies, I am curious about how Buddhism aligns with the Jewish Noahide Laws. Is it possible for a person to practice Buddhism while also adhering to the Noahide Laws? I would greatly value your perspective on this.
Kind regards,
Jonathan Lee

Brief Overview of Buddhism

Buddhism, originating with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) in ancient India, is a non-theistic religion or philosophy that emphasizes the pursuit of enlightenment through the practice of ethics, meditation, and understanding of the nature of reality. Central to Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which guide practitioners towards spiritual liberation.

The Seven Noahide Laws in Judaism

In Jewish tradition, the Seven Noahide Laws are seen as a set of moral and ethical principles intended for all humanity. These laws are:

1. Prohibition of Idolatry
2. Prohibition of Blasphemy
3. Prohibition of Murder
4. Prohibition of Illicit Sexual Relations
5. Prohibition of Theft
6. Prohibition of Eating Flesh from a Living Animal
7. Establishment of Courts of Law (Requirement of Justice)

Buddhism in Relation to the Noahide Laws

Let’s explore the compatibility of Buddhism with each of the Noahide Laws:

• Prohibition of Idolatry: Buddhism, being non-theistic, does not involve the worship of a deity. However, its practices and reverence for the Buddha could be perceived as conflicting with the Noahide law against idolatry from a strict monotheistic viewpoint.
• Prohibition of Blasphemy: Since Buddhism does not posit a creator god, the concept of blasphemy in the traditional sense is not applicable.
• Prohibition of Murder: Buddhism’s strong emphasis on non-violence and compassion aligns well with the prohibition of murder.
• Prohibition of Illicit Sexual Relations: Buddhist teachings often encourage ethical conduct in sexual matters, which can be seen as compatible with this Noahide law.
• Prohibition of Theft: The Buddhist precept of not taking what is not given resonates with the prohibition of theft.
• Prohibition of Eating Flesh from a Living Animal: Many Buddhists follow vegetarian or vegan diets, which aligns with this principle. However, it’s not a universal practice in all Buddhist traditions.
• Establishment of Courts of Law: Buddhism emphasizes personal ethical and moral conduct rather than the establishment of judicial systems. This aspect may not directly correlate with the Noahide law’s requirement for justice and law.

Can One Be a Buddhist and a Noahide?

While many of the ethical teachings of Buddhism are compatible with the Noahide Laws, certain elements, especially the non-theistic nature of Buddhism and its perspective on idolatry and the establishment of law, might present challenges for those seeking to fully embrace both paths. Being a Noahide, in the traditional Jewish sense, involves not only following these laws but also recognizing their divine origin as prescribed in the Torah.

Therefore, while a Buddhist might inadvertently follow many of the Noahide Laws through their ethical and moral practices, formally being recognized as a Noahide might require additional acknowledgment of these laws’ theistic and Torah-based origins, which could be in conflict with some Buddhist teachings.

Ultimately, the compatibility of Buddhism with the Noahide Laws is a nuanced issue that depends on the interpretation of both Buddhist practices and the principles underlying the Noahide Laws.

With respect,
Rabbi Joshua

From: Emily Rodriguez
Subject: Inquiry about Islam’s Compatibility with Noahide Laws

Dear Rabbi Joshua,
I’ve been studying different religions and their intersections with Judaism. Recently, I became curious about Islam and its compatibility with Noahide Laws. Is it possible for someone to be both a Muslim and a Noahide? I would appreciate your insights on this matter.
Warm regards,
Emily Rodriguez

Understanding Noahide Laws

The Seven Noahide Laws, as presented in Jewish tradition, are a set of universal moral guidelines that the Torah considers binding for all of humanity. These laws are:

1. Prohibition of Idolatry
2. Prohibition of Blasphemy
3. Prohibition of Murder
4. Prohibition of Illicit Sexual Relations
5. Prohibition of Theft
6. Prohibition of Eating Flesh from a Living Animal
7. Establishment of Courts of Law (Requirement of Justice)

Islam and the Noahide Laws

Islam, a monotheistic faith founded in the 7th century in the Arabian Peninsula by Prophet Muhammad, shares several core principles with the Noahide Laws:

• Prohibition of Idolatry: Islam’s strict monotheism and rejection of idol worship align closely with the Noahide law against idolatry.
• Prohibition of Blasphemy: The Islamic reverence for God and prohibition of blasphemy parallel the Noahide principle.
• Prohibition of Murder: Islam forbids murder, echoing the Noahide commandment.
• Prohibition of Illicit Sexual Relations: Islamic teachings promote marital fidelity and prohibit sexual immorality, in line with Noahide laws.
• Prohibition of Theft: Islam condemns theft, consistent with the Noahide prohibition.
• Prohibition of Eating Flesh from a Living Animal: Islamic dietary laws, including the concept of Halal, indirectly support this Noahide principle.
• Establishment of Courts of Law: The Islamic legal system, Sharia, has parallels with the Noahide requirement for justice and law.

Can One Be a Muslim and a Noahide?

The core question revolves around whether embracing Islam equates to accepting the Noahide Laws. On the surface, the ethical and moral principles of Islam do align significantly with the Noahide Laws. However, in Jewish thought, being a Noahide is not just about following these laws in practice; it also involves a recognition of these laws as divine commands given by God to Noah for all humanity.

While Islam certainly adheres to many of the principles embodied in the Noahide Laws, the Islamic understanding of these principles arises from its own theological and prophetic tradition, which is distinct from the Jewish narrative of Noah and the flood. Therefore, while a Muslim inherently follows many of the Noahide Laws in practice, whether they can be considered a Noahide in the traditional Jewish sense may depend on their recognition of the Noahide Laws’ divine origin as presented in the Torah.

In conclusion, while Islam is largely compatible with the Noahide Laws in terms of moral and ethical conduct, the intersection of religious identity and theological belief complicates the question of whether one can be both a Muslim and a Noahide from a Jewish perspective.

Peace and blessings,
Rabbi Joshua

From: Michael Thompson
Subject: Query about Sikhism and the Noahide Laws

Dear Rabbi Joshua,
I’ve been exploring various religious traditions and their common grounds with Judaism. I am particularly curious about Sikhism and its alignment with the Seven Noahide Laws. Could you please shed some light on how Sikhism compares to these universal laws from a Jewish perspective?
Thank you,
Michael Thompson

A Brief Overview of Sikhism

Before delving into the compatibility of Sikhism with the Noahide Laws, let’s first understand the essence of Sikhism. Founded in the 15th century in the Indian subcontinent by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that emphasizes the worship of one God. It stresses the importance of doing good deeds, living a truthful life, and maintaining a direct relationship with God, free from rituals and intermediaries.

The Seven Noahide Laws: A Jewish Perspective

In Jewish tradition, the Seven Noahide Laws (שבע מצוות בני נח) are seen as a universal moral code given by God to Noah after the flood, applicable to all humanity. These laws are:

1. Do not deny God (Prohibition of Idolatry).
2. Do not blaspheme God (Prohibition of Blasphemy).
3. Do not murder.
4. Do not engage in illicit sexual relations.
5. Do not steal.
6. Do not eat from a live animal (Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals).
7. Establish a legal system to ensure law and order (Requirement of Justice).

Comparing Sikhism with the Noahide Laws

Now, let’s explore how Sikhism aligns with these principles:

1. Prohibition of Idolatry: Sikhism is strictly monotheistic, and emphasizes the worship of one God, which aligns with the Jewish prohibition of idolatry.
2. Prohibition of Blasphemy: The Sikh’s respect for the divine and emphasis on reverent living resonate with the Jewish law against blasphemy.
3. Prohibition of Murder: Sikh teachings advocate for compassion and respect for all life, echoing the Jewish commandment against murder.
4. Prohibition of Illicit Sexual Relations: Sikhism promotes marital fidelity and moral living, which is in harmony with this Noahide law.
5. Prohibition of Theft: Honesty and integrity are core Sikh values, consistent with the Jewish prohibition of theft.
6. Prohibition of Cruelty to Animals: While Sikhism does not have a specific commandment against eating meat from a living animal, its emphasis on compassion and kindness can be seen as indirectly supporting this principle.
7. Requirement of Justice: The Sikh concept of ‘Mir and Pir’ (temporal and spiritual leadership) and the emphasis on righteous living and social justice align well with the Jewish mandate for establishing a system of justice.

In conclusion, while Sikhism and Judaism are distinct religious traditions with their own unique beliefs and practices, there is a notable alignment between Sikhism and the Seven Noahide Laws. This overlap demonstrates a shared commitment to ethical living and moral responsibility, underscoring the universal values that transcend religious boundaries.

Shalom,
Rabbi Joshua