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© 2020 by Rabbi Dr. Zvi Aviner
Introduction-2/ The Commandments through the Book of Genesis
Having discussed the Seven Commandments of Noah as a group, let’s discuss them one by one. As you recall, the first Six were given to Adam and Eve in Eden. They are
I: IDOLATRY
IIl: ADULTERY
III: BLOODSHED
IV: THEFT
V: INJUSTICE
VI: BLASPHEMY
VII: The Seventh, namely the Prohibition to Consume Blood and a Limb Torn From a Living Animal, was given by God to Noah after the Flood as a part of the Rainbow Covenant, under which we still live today.
Outline of our course
In our class we’ll use a unique approach where we follow the Book of Genesis to comprehend the background behind each Commandment, its philosophy as well as its sub laws in details. Thus we’ll learn
I: IDOLATRY from Genesis Chapter One which introduces the CREATOR
II: ADULTERY and MARRIAGE from the story of the Garden of Eden, which introduces the Serpent and the Primordial Sin
III: BLOODSHED from the story of the first murder – Cain and Abel. We’ll learn about he rampant murdering in the generation of the Flood, and about Noah, his wife, and the Rainbow Covenant that introduces the Laws of BLOODSHED in details .
We will then learn about WORLD PEACE and tyranny through the Tower of Babylon and King Nimrod’s Great Empire
IV: THEFT, ABDUCTION, SLAVERY Vs RIGHTEOUS OWNERSHIP via the stories about Abraham and his unique faith
V: JUSTICE and CIVIL ORDER via the stories about Jacob, his struggle for his civil rights and justice
VI: BLASPHEMY via the selling of Joseph by his brothers and the birth of the Children of Israel
As you see, this way we’l discuss both the Negative and the Positive aspects of each Commandment. We will form and analyse the Laws and their relevance to our modern time i
In addition, no study of the Noahide Commandments is completed without the Beautiful words of the Prophet Bilaam, his Speaking She-Donkey and the very notion of the Messianic Era.
So let’s start. What is IDOLATRY?