Do Not Touch The Children
Daily Study of the Noahide Code of Laws
By Sarah Bakker
The Divine Code for January 9, 2023
Today: Pages 408 - 409
Topic Chapter 1:13 - 1:14
It has been explained that a minor child is exempt from liability for violations of the Noahide Commandments. Therefore, if two Gentiles had forbidden relations and one was of mature age and the other was a minor child, the one of mature age is liable, and the child is not. Heterosexual relations with an under-age child are only considered within Torah Law to be true intercourse with a boy if he is at least nine years old, and with a girl if she is at least three years old. If a child is younger than this age, the act is considered to be in a different category of sin than sexual intercourse. Therefore, liability for a capital sin within the types of forbidden relations does not take effect for heterosexual relations wit children below those aged (three years for a girl and nine years for a boy), and even if the other partner is above the age of majority, he or she is not liable for a capital sin for forbidden relations.
Such an act is definitely forbidden, because it is a licentious fornication; see topic 3:7. If physical or mental harm to the child is included, that is also obviously forbidden (see Part V). A society should enact laws to punish those who inflict sexual molestation on children, and to restrain them from having acces to children if they are not rehabilitated.
By Sarah Bakker
Reading schedule of the Divine Code
Yesterday's Study Topic: 1:10 - 1:12
Tomorrow's Study Topic: 1:15 - 1:17
Curious about the whole page? You can read it in The Divine Code.
Sources: The Divine Code (4th edition) by Rabbi Moshe Weiner
Sarah Bakker is a blog writer and illustrator for the Noahide Academy. After a difficult time, she found Judaism. She has been a Noahide for many years and uses her experiences and knowledge combined with her creative talents to help others.
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