Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked Questions about Noahide Laws and Beliefs
Q. Is there a certain prayer or ceremony for someone wanting to become a Noahide?
A . There is no ceremony or specific prayer necessary. It only depends on your decision, by learning G‑d’s
commandments of the Noahide Code, and living in that righteous path.
Here is the explanation from Rambam (Maimonides), who was one of the greatest Torah Sages, about
the meaning of a “righteous Gentile” [emphasis and text in brackets added for clarity]:
Any Gentile who accepts the seven commandments and is careful to observe them is of th e “pious of
the nations of the world” and will have a portion in the World to Come. This is so provided that one
accepts them and observes them because the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded them in the Torah
and informed us through Moses our teacher that the descendants of Noah were originally commanded
But if one observes them only by virtue of common sense [separatin g them from their connection with
G‑d], he is not a “Ger Toshav” [a Hebrew Biblical term identified with one who takes on the Noahide
Code], or one of the “pious of the nations of the world,” [in today's language, an "observant Noahide"]
but rather, [merely] one of their wise people.
[From Rambam, Laws of Kings 8:11. ]
Q. How can I become a discerning Noahide?
A. from David D. ben Noach (a discerning Noahide):
Currently, the approach taken by other Noahides is to study sources on the Noahide Commandments,
like “The Divine Code,” taking their time and asking questions on this forum. To find an actual Noahide
teacher for you might be difficult, because there are so many Noahides at different levels of learning
and few Rabbis to look after many of them.
Maybe AskNoah can connect you with a fellow Noahide to study with. Having a study buddy can help
sharpen one another and give quick answers or help consolidate questions to ask on this forum. There
are parts of the Noahide Code that are simple enough to pick and learn for oneself, and then a person
can build up from that with study, discussion and asking questions.
Here is some advice that can be given regarding what you ask.
- Always be slow and thoughtful in conversation, not quick to speak. Sometimes silence also is the best
policy if you don’t know the answer to a subject.
- Don’t be drawn into debates, since they can produce more useless heat than edifying light. I do
understand that the people around you are either secular or following a non-Torah religion. Focus more
on a quiet obedience to the principles that you learn as opposed to forcing any views on others. A
person’s example can make a bigger difference to others and their conduct than argumentation.
- There are many sources that talk about the Noahide Law. To avoid confusion, try to stick to one, such
as studying “The Divine Code” and building up your knowledge through that first, before
indiscriminately reading other books and websites at the same time (there are numerous books that
have been put out from various sources, and thousands of web sites and web pages). I’m NOT saying
that you should never search the Internet for “noahide laws”, or that you shouldn’t ask any other Rabbis
about the Noahide Law. But get at least some grounding on the subject first from the authentic sources
available from AskNoah, to get a good foundation. Other Noahides (like myself) find “The Divine Code”
to be a great source IF it is taken slowly, and you ask questions if they arise.
As far as the pace of growth, the Seven Noahide Laws are about fulfilling your divine responsibility.
Don’t worry too much about additional commands and responsibilities for now. Do what you MUST do
first. Get good at that! Then you can concern yourself with anything else later on down the line.
“The Divine Code” goes into the Seven Laws of Noah (the Divine laws for Gentiles), summarizing each
commandment and then going into the details. It sifts through the knowledge and writings of the Rabbis
and the Hebrew Bible to bring across a detailed perspective of the Torah laws and guidelines for
Noahides, not just for the individual but also to give a person a grasp of what the law would be if it were
implemented as the law of the land. It has received official approval and/or approbations many
knowledgeable, reliable Rabbis. If you take it in your stride and look for principles you can apply to your
life, then it can help you to grow in a responsible and active life in obedience to G‑d’s Law. Some topics
it includes may challenge you, but the good things in life are meant to.
Q. Are there suggested morning prayers for a Noahide?
A. It’s a very good thing for a person to start the day with a deep awareness of the Creator. It is also
valuable to consider the potential for doing good that G‑d grants us with each new day. We are all
encouraged to devote the very first conscious thought of the day to the One True G‑d, as it says about
the Supreme King of kings, the Holy One Blessed be He, “The whole world is filled with His glory” (Isaiah
By asking for a “suggestion” for morning prayers, you show that you are aware that for Noahides there
is no requirement that certain prayers be recited at certain times. All of which follows is to be
considered completely voluntary, and you are welcome to contact us for further suggestions and
When a Gentile has prepared for prayer in the morning (after using the lavatory, washing one’s hands,
and with one’s body clothed), in the spirit of the verse (Psalms 16:8), “I have set the L-rd before me at all
“I offer thanks to You, living and eternal King, for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your
You might continue your morning prayers, and conclude your prayers in the evening, with the following
affirmation, which is from a traditional prayer in the Jewish liturgy called “Adon Olom” (“L-rd of the
L-rd of the universe, Who reigned before anything was created – at the time when His will brought all
things into being, then was His Name proclaimed King. And after all things will be uplifted, the Awesome
One will reign alone. He was, He is, and He shall be in glory. He is One, and there is no other to compare
to Him, to call His equal. Without beginning, without end – power and dominion belong to Him. He is my
G‑d and my ever-living Redeemer, the strength of my lot in time of distress. He is my banner and my
refuge, my portion on the day I call. Into His hand I entrust my spirit when I sleep and when I wake. And
with my soul, my body too, the L-rd is with me, I shall not fear.
After getting ready for your day, you can put some coins aside for a proper charity (one which does not
violate the Noahide commandments), and continue by saying Psalms chapters 67, 100, 145, 146, 150,
and 20, which give praise and thanksgiving to the Al-mighty [1], followed by verbally accepting yourself
G‑d’s Unity and Kingship, and devoutly asking G‑d for your needs.
Q. What is the short blessing after food that Abraham taught?
A. Here is the translation of the prayer that Abraham taught his Gentile guests to say after they ate food
to their satisfaction, in order to teach them that there is only One True G‑d (from the Midrash on the
“Blessed is G‑d of the Universe, from Whose bounty we have eaten.”*
As taught by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet o.b.m. and Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem, Noahide
individuals and families are encouraged to recite thanks to G‑d before eating a meal or a snack. These
words of thanks can mention the type of food or drink that one is about to partake of. For example, one
can recite thanks and blessing to G‑d for:
1) “… bread from the earth” (for any bread that is made from grain flour – wheat, barley, rye, oats or
spelt – with water as the main liquid)
2) “… fruit of the tree” (for fruits that grow on perennial trees, bushes and vines)
3) “… fruit of the earth” (for edible roots, leafy greens, all vegetables, legumes, and fruits that don’t
4) “… fruit of the vine” (for grape wine and grape juice)
5) “… sustaining food” (for non-bread foods made from grain flour, such as crackers, pastas, pastries,
6) “… all that is created by His word” (other foods that don’t grow from plants with roots in the ground,
such as: meat, beverages, candy, milk, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, etc.)
#6 can also include all the others.
A prayer of thanks to G‑d for bread at the start of the meal (#1) includes everything that will be eaten
within the meal (since bread – the “staff of life” – is the most important food), so no mention of the
other foods or beverages is needed, except for grape wine or grape juice. A prayer of thanks to G‑d for
grape wine or grape juice at the start of the meal (#4) includes all the other beverages that will be drunk
within the meal, so in that case a separate blessing for the other beverages is not needed.
*From Midrash Rabbah ( Genesis), ch. 54.
Q. What Psalms of thanks are recommended for Noahides when they’re happy?
A. We have selected the following Psalms. A Noahide who is feeling happy can recite any or all of these
in prayerful gratitude to G‑d:
Chapters 33, 100*, 104, 145, 150
Q: Is it OK to accept the 7 Noahide Laws in general without looking to Rabbinic authority?
A: This is a step in the right direction, because at some level you would be connecting with the 7 Noahide
Commandments that are incumbent on you as one of the Children of Noah, but it is an incomplete
acceptance. At this level, a person might still mistakenly transgress in some ways. A person who doesn’t
learn the details of these commandments as they are elucidated in the traditional Torah sources is likely
to err in his own (biased) judgment of what he assumes would be permitted or forbidden by G‑d. Just as
an example, one might naively (and wrongly) assume than if one commits euthanasia, it is not
considered to be murder in G‑d’s eyes.
On the other hand, if you observe the Noahide Code properly (which requires learning the correct
explanations based on the Torah Law for Gentiles), you will be able to know and follow the rightoeus
path. Even more so, to earn the ultimate reward that G‑d will give to the “Pious Gentiles of the world”
(Hasidei Umot Ha’Olom in Hebrew), it is necessary to also accept that the obligation to follow the
Noahide Code comes from G‑d’s commanding it through Moses at Mount Sinai, as part of the eternal
Divine Truth of the Torah of Moses.
A lesson from Sinai: Is there morality without commandments?
Q: Can’t a Noahide (or any human being) just live as a good person in their own eyes, deciding right
and wrong based on their conscience?
A: A person should strive at all times to live and act in accordance with G‑d’s Will. It is thus incumbent

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