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The Noahide Academy Weekly Podcast Series: With Leo Yuwono "Exploring Faith Across Borders: A Conversation with Leo Yuwono from Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia" How Leo Yuwono Began the Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia In the bustling archipelago of Indonesia, a remarkable spiritual journey was set in motion by a visionary named Leo Yuwono. His path led to the founding of Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia, a community dedicated to the Noahide laws and the universal values of ethical monotheism. This is the story of how one man’s quest for truth and understanding sparked a movement that continues to grow and inspire. A Search for Truth Leo Yuwono’s journey began with a profound sense of curiosity and a desire to understand the deeper meanings of life and spirituality. Growing up in Indonesia, a country with a rich tapestry of religious traditions, Leo was exposed to various beliefs and practices. However, he always felt that there was a more universal truth that transcended these diverse traditions. In his early adulthood, Leo started to explore different philosophies and religious texts. He was particularly drawn to the concept of ethical monotheism, the belief in one God who demands righteousness and justice from humanity. This exploration led him to the Seven Noahide Laws, a set of moral imperatives that, according to Jewish tradition, are binding on all of humanity. Discovery of the Noahide Laws The Noahide Laws resonated deeply with Leo. He saw them as a universal code of ethics that could guide people towards a just and compassionate society. These laws – prohibiting idolatry, blasphemy, murder, theft, sexual immorality, and animal cruelty, and promoting the establishment of courts of justice – provided a clear framework for living a righteous life. Inspired by these teachings, Leo delved deeper into Jewish texts and traditions, seeking guidance and knowledge. He reached out to Jewish scholars and communities around the world, eager to learn more about the Noahide Laws and how they could be applied in his context. Founding Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia Leo’s dedication and passion soon attracted like-minded individuals in Indonesia who shared his vision of a community centered around the Noahide principles. Together, they founded Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia, a community that welcomes people of all backgrounds to learn and live according to these universal laws. The mission of Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia is to promote ethical living, spiritual growth, and social justice. The community organizes regular study sessions, workshops, and outreach programs to educate people about the Noahide Laws and their relevance in today’s world. They also engage in various charitable activities, embodying the principles of kindness and justice that are central to their beliefs. Building Bridges One of the most remarkable aspects of Leo Yuwono’s journey is his commitment to building bridges between different religious and cultural communities. Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia is not just a Noahide community; it is a place where people from diverse backgrounds can come together, share their experiences, and work towards common goals. Leo believes that the Noahide Laws provide a foundation for unity and peace, offering a common ground where people of different faiths and cultures can find mutual respect and understanding. Under his leadership, Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating that it is possible to create a harmonious society based on shared values and ethical principles. A Vision for the Future As Chasidei Umot HaOlam Indonesia continues to grow, Leo Yuwono remains dedicated to his vision of spreading the message of the Noahide Laws across Indonesia and beyond. He sees his work as part of a larger, global movement towards ethical monotheism and universal justice. Leo’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, determination, and the pursuit of truth. Through his efforts, the principles of the Noahide Laws are gaining recognition and acceptance, inspiring individuals and communities to strive for a better, more just world. In a world often divided by differences, Leo Yuwono’s story reminds us of the universal values that can unite us all. His journey from curiosity to leadership exemplifies how one person’s quest for understanding can ignite a movement, transforming lives and communities in profound ways.   By Rabbi Moshe Perets    Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright polic y

By Rabbi Moshe Perets In front of you are the 13 Principles of Faith, our Fundamentals Life Values, according to the Torah of Moses, Revealed by HaShem on Mount Sinai as they are relevant to you. Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon, the Rambam, Spain (1135-1204) The great codifier of Torah law and Jewish philosophy, Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon ("Maimonides" also known as "The Rambam"), compiled what he refers to as the Shloshah Asar Ikkarim, the "Thirteen Fundamental Principles" of the Jewish Faith, as derived from the Torah. Maimonides refers to these thirteen principles of faith as "the fundamental truths of our religion and its very foundations." The Thirteen Principles of Jewish faith (as recorded in Maimonides') are as follows: The Short Version of the 13 Principles of Faith 1. Belief in the existence of the Creator , who is perfect in every manner of existence and is the Primary Cause of all that exists. 2. The belief in G‑d's absolute and unparalleled unity. 3. The belief in G‑d's non-corporeality, nor that He will be affected by any physical occurrences, such as movement, or rest, or dwelling. 4. The belief in G‑d's eternity. 5. The imperative to worship G‑d exclusively and no foreign false gods. 6. The belief that G‑d communicates with man through prophecy. 7. The belief in the primacy of the prophecy of Moses our teacher. 8. The belief in the divine origin of the Torah. 9. The belief in the immutability of the Torah. 10. The belief in G‑d's omniscience and providence. 11. The belief in divine reward and retribution. 12. The belief in the arrival of the Messiah and the messianic era. 13. The belief in the resurrection of the dead.   You may recite the Thirteen Articles, in a slightly more poetic form, beginning with the words Ani Maamin --"I believe"—once a week, or each day in the morning during your prayer. Check Now our Online Course: Rambam 301 The 13 Principles of Faith Sources The following is a list of the Thirteen Principles, as penned by Maimonides, along with their biblical sources:   1. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is the Creator and Guide of all created beings, and that He alone has made, does make, and will make all things. Source: " I am G‑d your G‑d "—Exodus 20:2.   2. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is One and Alone; that there is no oneness in any way like Him; and that He alone is our G‑d—was, is and will be. Source: "Hear O Israel, G‑d is our G‑d, G‑d is One"—Deuteronomy 6:4.   3. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is incorporeal; that He is free from all anthropomorphic properties; and that He has no likeness at all. Source: "You did not see any image on the day that G‑d spoke to you at Horeb [Sinai]."—Deuteronomy 4:15.   4. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is the first and the last. Source: "[The heavens] are the abode for the G‑d who precedes all"—Deuteronomy 33:27.3   5. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, is the only one to whom it is proper to pray, and that it is inappropriate to pray to anyone else. Source: "Lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven . . . and be drawn away to prostrate yourselves before them and worship them"—Deuteronomy 4:19 6. I believe with complete faith that all the words of the prophets are true. Source: "G‑d will raise up a prophet from among you… and you shall hearken to him"—Deuteronomy 18:15.   7. I believe with complete faith that the prophecy of Moses our teacher, peace unto him, was true; and that he was the father of the prophets, both of those who preceded and of those who followed him. Source: "G‑d would speak to Moses face to face"—Exodus 33:11; "Mouth to mouth, I speak to him"—Numbers 12:8.4   8. I believe with complete faith that the whole Torah which we now possess was given to Moses, our teacher, peace unto him. Source: "With this you shall know that G‑d sent me to do all these deeds, for I did not devise them myself"—Numbers 16:28.   9. I believe with complete faith that this Torah will not be changed, and that there will be no other Torah given by the Creator, blessed be His name. Source: "You shall not add to it, not subtract from it"—Deuteronomy 13:1.5   10. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, knows all the deeds and thoughts of human beings, as it is said, "It is He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who perceives all their actions." Source (in addition to Psalms 33:15 quoted in the actual text): "Who is great in counsel and mighty in carrying it out, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of mankind"—Jeremiah 32:19; "G‑d saw that the evil of man on earth was very great"—Genesis 6:5.   11. I believe with complete faith that the Creator, blessed be His name, rewards those who observe His commandments, and punishes those who transgress His commandments. Source: "And G‑d said to Moses: 'Whoever has sinned against Me, him I will erase from My book!'"—Exodus 32:33.6   12. I believe with complete faith in the coming of Moshiach, and although he may tarry, nevertheless, I wait every day for him to come. Source: "G‑d will restore your fortunes, have mercy on you, and gather you"—Deuteronomy 30:3.   13. I believe with complete faith that there will be resurrection of the dead at the time when it will be the will of the Creator, blessed be His name and exalted be His remembrance forever and ever. Source: "Many who sleep in the dust shall awaken, some to everlasting life, and some to ever lasting shame and reproach"—Daniel 12:2.   Compilation Source: Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov Check Now our Online Course: Rambam 302 The Complete Version  The Thirteen Foundations of Torah Faith  For Jews and Noahides The First Foundation  Is to believe in the existence of the Creator, blessed be He. This means that there exists a Being that is complete in all ways and He is the cause of all else that exists. He is what sustains their existence and the existence of all that sustains them. It is inconceivable that He would not exist, for if He would not exist then all else would cease to exist as well, nothing would remain. And if we would imagine that everything other than He would cease to exist, this would not cause His, HaShem's, blessed be He, existence to cease or be diminished. Independence and mastery is to Him alone, HaShem, blessed be His Name, for He needs nothing else and is sufficient unto himself. He does not need the existence of anything else. All that exists apart from Him, the angels, the universe and all that is within it, all these things are dependent on Him for their existence. This first foundation is taught to us in the statement, "I am HaShem your G-d..." (Shemos [Exodus] 20:2, Devarim [Deuteronomy] 5:6).         The Second Foundation  Is the unity of HaShem, Blessed be His Name. In other words, to believe that this being, which is the cause of all, is one. This does not mean one as in one of a pair nor one like a species [which encompasses many individuals] nor one as in one object that is made up of many elements nor as a single simple object which is infinitely divisible. Rather, He, HaShem Blessed be His Name, is a unity unlike any other possible unity. This second foundation is referred to when [the Torah] says, "Hear Israel! HaShem is our G-d, HaShem is one". (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 6:4)       The Third Foundation  Is that He is not physical. This means to believe that the One whom we have mentioned is not a body and His powers are not physical. The concepts of physical bodies such as movement, rest, or existence in a particular place cannot be applied to Him. Such things cannot be part of His nature nor can they happen to Him. Therefore the Sages of blessed memory stated that the concepts of combination and separation do not apply to Him, and they said, "Above there is no sitting nor standing, no separation nor combination." [Ramba'm here goes into an explanation of certain Hebrew words. Since this would be meaningless in translation I am skipping it. - Lazer Brody] The prophet says, "To whom can you compare Me? To what am I equal? Says the Holy One." (Yeshaya [Isaiah] 40:25) If He would be a physical body He would be comparable to physical bodies. In all places where the Holy Scriptures speak of Him in physical terms, as walking, standing, sitting, speaking and anything similar, it is always metaphorical, as our Sages of blessed memory said, "The Torah speaks in the language of men". Our sages have discussed this issue at length. This third foundation is referred to when [the Torah] says, "For you did not see any form" (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 4:15), in other words, you did not perceive Him as being an entity with a form because, as we mentioned, He is not physical and His power is not physical. The Fourth Foundation is that He is first. This means to believe that the One was the absolute first and everything else in existence is not first relative to Him. There are many proofs to this in the Holy Scriptures.       The Fourth Foundation  Is referred to in the verse, "That is the abode of G-d the first" (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 33:27).     The Fifth Foundation   Is that it is proper to serve Him, blessed be He, to ascribe to Him greatness, to make known His greatness, and to fulfill His commandments. We may not do this to any lesser being, whether it be one of the angels, the stars, the celestial spheres, the elements, or anything formed from them. For all these things have predetermined natures and have no authority or control over their actions. Rather, such authority and control is G-d's. Similarly, it is not proper to serve them as intermediaries in order that they should bring us closer to G-d. Rather, to G-d Himself we must direct out thoughts, and abandon anything else. This fifth foundation is based in the prohibition against idolatry about which much of the Torah deals.       The Sixth Foundation Is prophecy. That is, that a person must know that there exists amongst mankind individuals who have very lofty qualities and great perfection; whose souls are prepared until their minds receive perfect intellect. After this, their human intellect can then become attached to the Active Intellect [i.e. the 'mind', so to speak, of G-d] and have bestowed upon them an exalted state. These are the prophets and this is prophecy. A full explanation of this foundation would be very lengthy and it is not our intent to bring proofs for every foundation or to explain how we know them, for that is the sum of all knowledge. Rather, we are simply mentioning them in an informal manner. There are numerous verses in the Torah which attest to the prophecy of the prophets.       The Seventh Foundation  Is the prophecy of Moshe (Moses) our Teacher, may he rest in peace. This means to believe that he is the father of all the prophets, both those that preceded him and those who arose after him; all of them were below his level. He was the chosen one from all of Mankind, for he attained a greater knowledge of the Blessed One, more than any other man ever attained or ever will attain. For he, may he rest in peace, rose up from the level of man to the level of the angels and gained the exalted status of an angel. There did not remain any screen that he did not tear and penetrate; nothing physical held him back. He was devoid of any flaw, big or small. His powers of imagination, the senses, and the perceptions were nullified; the power of desire was separated from him leaving him with pure intellect. It is for this reason that it is said on him that he could speak to HaShem, blessed be He, without the intermediary of angels. It is my desire to clarify this wondrous topic, and to open the sealed verses of the Torah; to explain the idea of the verse "mouth to mouth" (BaMidbar [Numbers] 12:8) and similar verses. However, as I see it, this subject would require many proofs and great length, involving numerous presentations, introductions and illustrative examples. We would first have to clarify the existence of the angels and the distinction between their greatness and the Creator, HaShem, blessed be He. We would also have to clarify the subject of the soul and its powers. The discussion would then have to be widened to speak of the forms which the prophets see representing the Creator and the angels, and this would bring us into the subject of the Divine Stature [a kabalistic concept involving the anthropomorphic metaphor - Lazer]. Even this would not suffice, even if the discussion would be kept a short as possible it would still be an essay of a hundred pages. Therefore I will leave this discussion for another place, either in a book of discourses which I plan to write, or for a book on prophecy which I am working on, or for a book in which I will explain these foundations. So, I now return to the subject of the seventh foundation. The prophecy of Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses our Teacher) is distinguished from the prophecies of all other prophets in four regards: First , every other prophet received the word of HaShem through an intermediary, Moshe did not have an intermediary, as it says, "Mouth to mouth I speak to him." (BaMidbar [Numbers] 12:8) Second , all other prophets only receive their prophecy either when they are sleeping, as we find in numerous places "in a dream at night" (B'Reishis [Genesis] 20:3) and "in a vision at night" (Iyov [Job] 33:15) and many other examples. Or by day when a trance has fallen over them which removes all their senses and leaves their mind open as in a dream. Such a state [of prophecy] is called a vision or seeing and is referred to as "Divine visions" (Yechezkel [Ezekiel] 8:3). Moshe received his prophecy by day as he stood before the kruvim (cherubim), as is testified to by HaShem, blessed be He, "and I will commune with you there" (Shemos [Exodus] 25:22). And as HaShem, blessed be He, states, "If prophets are among you then I, HaShem, make myself known to them through a vision, in a dream I speak to him. It is not so with my servant Moshe, he is trusted in all my house. I speak to him mouth to mouth, in a vision without puzzlement. He gazes at the image of G-d." (BaMidbar [Numbers] 12:6-8) Third , when a prophet receives prophecy, even though it was only a vision and by means of an angel, he would nevertheless be weakened by it and his body would shudder. He would be stricken with a very great fear almost to the point that his spirit would leave his body, as Daniel said when [the angel] Gavriel (Gabriel) spoke to him, "No strength remained in me; my robustness changed to pallor, and I could retain no strength... and I was in a deep sleep upon my face, and my face was to the ground". And as he says later, "during the vision my joints shuddered and I could retain no strength". (Daniel 10:8-9, 16). But Moshe, may he rest in peace, was not so, rather, the word came to him and he did not experience trembling and shivering in any way, as it says, "And HaShem spoke to Moshe face to face, as a man speaks to his friend" (Shemos [Exodus] 33:11). In other words, just as a man does not experience trembling from the speech of his fellow, Moshe did not tremble from the word even though it was face to face. This was due to his total attachment to the intellect, as we said earlier. Fourth , all the [other] prophets were unable to receive prophecy when they willed it but only when HaShem, blessed be He, wished it. The prophet could wait days or years and prophecy would not come. He could beseech HaShem, blessed be He, to make known to him a matter through prophecy and then he could wait for days or months for the prophecy, sometimes it would never come at all. There were groups which would prepare themselves and purify their thoughts, as Elisha did, as it is written, "Now bring me a musician", and prophecy came upon him. But it was not certain that prophecy would come at the time a person prepared himself. Moshe, may he rest in peace, [could prophesize] at any time he wished. As he said, "Wait and I will hear what HaShem has commanded you" (BaMidbar [Numbers] 9:8) and as it says, "Speak to Aharon your brother, he shall not come at all times in the holy place" on which our Sages of blessed memory said, "Aharon could not enter, but this did not apply to Moshe".       The Eighth Foundation  Is that the Torah is from Heaven. This means that we must believe that this entire Torah, which was given to us from Moshe Our Teacher, may he rest in peace, is entirely from the mouth of the Almighty. In other words, that it all was conveyed to him from G-d, blessed Be He, in the manner which is called, for lack of a better term, "dibur" - "speech". [Since G-d does not actually "speak" in a literal sense. - Lazer] It is not known how it was conveyed to him, except to Moshe, may he rest in peace, to whom it was given, and he was like a scribe writing from dictation, and he wrote all the incidents, the stories, and the commandments. Therefore [Moshe] is called "mechokek" - "scribe" (BaMidbar [Numbers] 21:18). There is no difference between [verses such as] "And the children of Cham were Kush and Mitzrayim" (B'Reishis [Genesis] 10:6), "And the name of his wife was Meheitaveil" (ibid. 36:39), and "And Simnah was a concubine" (ibid. 36:12) and [verses such as] "I am HaShem your G-d" (Shemos [Exodus] 20:2) and "Hear O Israel …" (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 6:4), for all of the Torah is from the mouth of the Almighty and it is all the Teaching of G-d (Toras HaShem), perfect, pure, holy, and true. One who says that verses and stories like these [in the first group] were written by Moshe out of his own mind, behold! He is considered by our Sages and Prophets as a heretic and a perverter of the Torah more than all other heretics, for he believes that the Torah has a "heart" and a "shell" [i.e. an meaningful part and a meaningless part] and that these historical accounts and stories have no benefit and are from Moshe our Teacher, may he rest in peace. This is the meaning of [the category of heretic who believes that] "The Torah is not from Heaven" [which is listed in the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1) as one who has no share in the World to Come]. Our Sages, may their memory be a blessing, explain that this is [even] someone who says that the entire Torah is from the Almighty except for a particular verse which was written by Moses alone. And on this [person, the Torah writes], "For he has scorned the word of G-d... [his soul shall be absolutely cut off, his sin is upon him]" (BaMidbar [Numbers] 15:31). May G-d, blessed be He, forgive the statements of the heretics. In truth, however, every word of the Torah has within it wisdom and wonders for one who can understand them, and the full depth of their wisdom can never be attained. "Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea" (Iyov [Job] 11:9). A man has option but to follow in the footsteps of King David, the anointed of the G-d of Yakov (Jacob), who prayed, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things in your Torah" (Tehillim [Psalms] 119:18). All this is also true for the explanation of the Torah, which was also received from the mouth of the Almighty [the Oral Torah]. The manner in which we today make the Sukkah, Lulav, Shofar, Tzitzis, Tefillin, and other items is precisely the manner that G-d, blessed be He, instructed Moshe, who then instructed us and Moshe was reliable in relating [G-d's word]. The verse which teaches this foundation is "And Moshe said, 'Through this you shall know that G-d has sent me to do all these things, for they are not from my heart." (BaMidbar [Numbers] 16:28)     The Ninth Foundation Is the transcription, meaning that this Torah, and no other, was transcribed from the Creator and we may not add to it or remove from it, not in the Written Torah or in the Oral Torah, as it says, "you shall not add to it, nor diminish from it" (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 13:1). We have already fully clarified this foundation in the introduction to this work [the Commentary on the Mishnah].]       The Tenth Foundation  Is that G-d, blessed be He, knows the actions of mankind and does not turn His eyes from them. Not like the opinion of those who say, "...[The L-rd does not see us;] the L-rd has forsaken the land" (Yechezkel [Ezekiel] 8:12). But rather like it says, "Great in counsel, and mighty in work; for your eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men; to give to every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings" (Yirmiyah (Jeremiah) 32:19), "And G-d saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth..." (B'reishis (Genesis) 6:5), and "And the L-rd said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great..." (ibid. 18:20). These verses teach us this tenth foundation.     The Eleventh Foundation  Is that G-d, blessed be He, gives reward to one who obeys the commandments of the Torah and punishes one who violates its prohibitions. The greatest reward is the World to Come, and the greatest punishment is kareis (spiritual excision, "cutting off"). We have already said enough on this topic [earlier in the Commentary]. The verse which teaches this foundation is [when Moshe says to G-d], "And now, if you will forgive their sin; and if not, please remove me [from your book which you have written]" to which G-d responds, "..Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot from my book" (Shemos Exodus) 32:32-33). This indicates that He knows the servant and the sinner, to give reward to this one and punishment to the other.     The Twelfth Foundation  Is the time of the Mashiach (literally, “the annointed”). This means to believe and be certain that he will come, and not to think that he is late in coming, "if it seems slow, wait for it; [because it will surely come, it will not come late]" (Chabakuk 2:3). You should not set a time for him, and you should not make calculations in Scripture to determine the time of his coming. The Sages say, "Let despair come upon those who calculate end-times." [This foundation further includes] to believe that he (Mashiach) will possess advantages, superiority, and honor to a greater degree than all the kings that have ever existed, as was prophesied regarding him by all the prophets, from Moshe, peace be upon him, till Malachi, peace be upon him. One who doubts this or who minimizes his greatness denies the Torah that testifies explicitly to [the coming of Mashiach] in the account of Bilaam (BaMidbar [Numbers] 24) and in the portion of Netzavim (Devarim [Deuteronomy] 30:3-5). Included in this principle is that there is no king to the Jewish people except from the House of David and the seed of Solomon alone. Anyone who disagrees with [the status of] this family denies G-d and His prophets.       The Thirteenth Foundation  Is the resurrection of the dead. This has already been explained [earlier in the Commentary]. [The following is a translation of what Rambam writes on this subject: The resurrection of the dead is a foundation from the foundations of Moshe our Teacher, may peace be upon him. There is no faith and no connection to the Jewish religion for one who does not believe this. But the resurrection is only for the righteous. And so we find the Sages teach, "The rains are for the righteous and the wicked, and the resurrection of the dead is for the righteous alone." ]   Join our Sunday Live Course on Rambam 303 By Rabbi Moshe Perets    Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright polic y Footnotes 1.The text of the Principles below is based on Maimonides' elucidation of these Principles (in his preface to his commentary on the chapter Chelek of tractate Sanhedrin). In many circles this text is recited at the conclusion of the daily morning prayers. Some of the biblical sources below are referenced by Maimonides himself. For some of the principles (5, 6, 12 and 13) he doesn't provide the biblical source, as such they are based on my conjecture. (For some, Maimonides provides multiple sources; I have sufficed with citing one or two of them.) 2.Maimonides explains (in his Laws of the Foundations of the Torah) how belief in G‑d, an imperative expressed in this verse, necessarily implies that He is the "Creator and Guide of all created beings, and that He alone has made, does make, and will make all things." 3. In Maimonides' work, this principle does not include the idea that G‑d is also "the last." Nevertheless, this idea, which was added to the universally accepted liturgical text of the Principles, is based on numerous verses in the Torah, including Isaiah 44:6: "So said G‑d, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, 'I am first and I am last...'" 4.See the context of this verse in Numbers, where G‑d explains how Moses is greater than all other prophets. See also Deuteronomy 34:10: "And there was no other prophet who arose in Israel like Moses." 5. In Maimonides' work, this principle does not include the idea that G‑d will never give another Torah, rather it is limited to the belief that we can never add or subtract from the Torah. 6.Maimonides doesn't cite a verse to support the concept of reward for good deeds, but this theme is expressed many times throughout the Torah, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy.

One of Noahide's Indonesia's commitments is: openness and positive contribution to Indonesian society. Last year (2023), Moreh Leo as the leader of Bnei Noah Indonesia Community, was contacted by two students in the final stage of the undergraduate study program, majoring in Religious Studies from UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, namely Gyrie (Giri) Purnama and Rama Permana. They stated their intention to make Bnei Noah, which is Judaism for the nations, a research topic in their thesis. with open arms, Moreh Leo, representing the Indonesian Bnei Noah Community, received it enthusiastically and wholeheartedly helped these two young generations of Indonesia in conducting their research. Their research on Bnei Noah Indonesia and Judaism was mainly conducted through interviews and face-to-face. They took the time to come to Jakarta, in order to get valid information directly from the source. As a complement, Moreh Leo also provided the book Universal Ethics which has been translated into Indonesian, to be used as reference material and for deeper study of Torah teaching for the nations. It is called Universal Ethics, because the teaching of the Torah for the nations, within the framework of the 7 Laws of Noah, is for all nations in the world. Giri and Rama managed to complete their thesis and trial well, so this was a sweet ending to their graduation as graduates. With the characteristics of Indonesian culture which is very friendly and always respects and appreciates each other, Giri and Rama deliberately returned to Jakarta, on July 3 2024, to express their thanks in person, as well as present a plaque of thanks to Bnei Noah Indonesia, accompanied by wishes. so that the ties of friendship that have been formed through thesis research can continue. The entire Bnei Noah Indonesia community welcomes it, and with the Grace of HASHEM, will continue to maintain this noble relationship. Link to access their thesis page (in Bahasa Indonesia) : Skripsi Rama Permana Skripsi Gyrie Purnama Unity In Diversity ! Bhinneka Tunggal Ika ! By Leo Yuwono Noahide Ambassador to Indonesia

House Joint Resolution H.J.RES.104.ENR Designating March 26, 1991, as Education Day , U.S.A. The Seven Noahide Commandments from Torah for Humanity “Congress recognizes the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded … these ethical values and principles that have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws.” The universality of these principles and global import was recognized in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan when he spoke of “the eternal validity of the Seven Noahide Laws as a Moral Code for all of us regardless of religious faith” (Proclamation on the National Day of Reflection, April 4, 1982). Seven years later, in 1989, President George H.W. Bush not only proclaimed that these “Biblical values are the foundation for civilized society,” but he also recognized that “A society that fails to recognize or adhere to them cannot endure.” He understood how these “principles of moral and ethical conduct that have formed the basis for all civilizations comes to us, in part, from the centuries old Seven Noahide Laws.” And, in doing so, he noted their origins: “ The Noahide Laws are actually seven commandments given to man by G-d , as recorded in the Old Testament. …” (Proclamation 5956-Education Day, USA 1989 and 1990, 102 Stat. 3016, April 14, 1989) Both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States Congress in 1991, on a [unanimous] bipartisan basis, further recognized how this “historical tradition of ethical values and principles …upon which our great Nation was founded … have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization , when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws.” The American Congress understood how “the most recent weakening of these principles … has resulted in crises that beleaguer and threaten the fabric of civilized society.” Thus, they warned us that “without these ethical values and principles the edifice of civilization stands in serious peril of returning to chaos.” (Public Law 102-14, 102d Congress, 1st session, H.J. Res. 104) Other world leaders have joined the call for further observance and knowledge of these laws. For example, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Union wrote (in July, 2014) that he seeks greater “dissemination of the universal values known as the Noahide Laws,” and Major General Michael Jeffery, Governor General of Australia, lamenting family breakdowns and drug and alcohol abuse in modern society in a 2008 letter, wrote that he believed that observing the fundamental values of the Noahide Laws can be an antidote to such ills of society. We only need to look at the havoc in which we find ourselves living today in order to recognize the validity of these truthful assertions __________________________________________________________________ 102nd U.S. Congress (1991-1992) House Joint Resolution H.J.RES.104.ENR Designating March 26, 1991, as Education Day, U.S.A. The Seven Noahide Laws: “Congress recognizes the historical tradition of ethical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded … these ethical values and principles that have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws.” Brought by Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva of Brussels in 2011. He has a medical degree by the University of Louvain in Brussels as well a Masters in Biomedical Research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has for the past years focused on Psychotherapy and developed a new approach: Deep Soul Therapy . He is a spiritual mentor, teacher, coach, and healer who has helped facilitate profound shifts for hundreds of people around the globe. His teaching activities at the Noahide Academy allowed students from all over the world to live passionate, purposeful lives, connect more intimately with G-d, and reveal the hidden light and power of their souls. Rabbi Moshe Perets lives currently in Israel with his wife and 5 children. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets

Weekly Parasha for Noahides by Rabbi Moshe Perets New Weekly Parasha Commentary of the Week for Bnei Noah By Rabbi Moshe Perets   Yom Rishon 2 Cheshvan 5785   First Parasha: Bereshit - Genesis What is the main teaching from the Bible in Genesis Chapters 1:1 for Noahides?   Shalom and welcome to the Weekly Parasha for Noahides ! An initiative from the Noahide Academy of Israel for everyone anywhere who wants to become affiliated with the Jewish People and enter the ultimate Redemption. We are now starting this new series for Bnei Noah, the Descendants of Noah! We are all descendants of Noah. As you know Noah gave birth to all Humanity. So here we are to fulfil what Noah started! To redeem Humanity and bring salvation to the world. So let us begin! But where should we begin? Obviously at the beginning! So let us start with Bereshit, Genesis. At the beginning... and reveal the hidden messages by HaShem in the Torah for Bnei Noah. Bereshit - Genesis 1:1 בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.” (Gen 1:1)   What Rashi says about the Beginning It was not necessary to begin the Torah except from “This month is to you,” (Exd. 12:2) which is the first commandment that the Jews were commanded, for the main purpose of the Torah is its commandments. Now for what reason did He commence with “In the beginning?” Because of [the verse in Psalms] כֹּ֣חַ מַ֖עֲשָׂיו הִגִּ֣יד לְעַמּ֑וֹ לָתֵ֥ת לָ֜הֶ֗ם נַֽחֲלַ֥ת גּוֹיִֽם: “The strength of His works He related to His people, to give them the inheritance of the nations” (Ps. 111:6).   For if the nations of the world should say to Israel, “You are robbers, for you conquered by force the lands of the seven nations [of Canaan],” they will reply, "The entire earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it (this we learn from the story of the Creation) and gave it to whomever He deemed proper When He wished , He gave it to them (the 7 nations), and when He wished, He took it away from them and gave it to us the Jewish people.   The Seven Nations in the Land of Canaan   What is written in Devarim (Deuteronomy) - Chapter 7:1 כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גּוֹיִֽם־רַבִּ֣ים | מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גוֹיִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַֽעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ: “When the Lord, your God, brings you into the land to which you are coming to possess it, He will cast away many nations from before you: the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivvites, and the Jebusites, seven nations more numerous and powerful than you.” According to both Noahide Law and Jewish Law, land acquired as a result of military conquest is not considered to be stolen property (see Shulchan Aruch Admour Hazakein, Orach Chayim 649:10). Therefore, the nations of the world could not possibly accuse the Jewish people of being robbers merely due to the fact that they seized the land of Canaan. Rather, the nations complaint is that the Jewish people  transformed  the land  into a permanently and essentially Jewish one , precluding any nation from identifying it as their own at any future time. Even if the land will be conquered by another nation, it will remain "the Land of Israel" and Jewish people will still refer to it as their own, perceiving the loss of the land as a temporary exile. For after Jewish conquest and inhabitation, the land became a holy, uniquely Jewish land at its very essence, remaining associated with the Jewish people forever.     The Spiritual Meaning of the Settling of the Land of Israel and the Coming of Mashiach The spiritual parallel between the 7 nations of Canaan and the 7 emotional sefirot in the soul. The world was created in order that HaShem could have a relationship with the Human Being and for the human being to relate back to HaShem. Now the foundation of a relationship is to get to know each other. How can HaShem know man? And how can man know HaShem? Well the Torah teaches us that “to know” someone needs to be on a physical, emotional  level (not only intellectually), as it is mentioned in Genesis “ And Adam Knew Chava “ (Gen 4:1)  – Man knew his wife (Chava the Mother of all Life). וְהָ֣אָדָ֔ם יָדַ֖ע אֶת־חַוָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ וַתַּ֨הַר֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶד אֶת־קַ֔יִן וַתֹּ֕אמֶר קָנִ֥יתִי אִ֖ישׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה   Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, and she said, "I have acquired a man with the Lord." with the Lord.  Heb. אֶת יהוה, like עִם יהוה, with the Lord. When He created me and my husband, He alone created us, but with this one, we are partners with Him. — [from  Gen. Rabbah  22:2,  Mid. Tadshei, Niddah  31a] So we can learn from this that the world was created for the physical or emotional experience of knowing G-d, through all things in our reality. Humanity was created at the beginning to be engaged in this emotional experience of reality through the 7 emotional attributes of the soul: kindness, strength, compassion, perseverance, humility, attachment and humility. These attributes are paralleled by the 7 nations who lived in Canaan the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivvites, and the Jebusites. HaShem by creating the reality as so is teaching us this. The verse in Deut 7:1 also says that: “seven nations more numerous and powerful than you.” Meaning that the emotional attributes of the soul are more powerful then the 3 intellectual components of the soul in a person experience of reality. By giving the Land of the 7 Nations to the Jewish People, HaShem is teaching us on how to rectify all of reality or the human experience: Make the Intellect rule upon the emotions. If we look at humanity in general what motivates people to make certain decisions? Generally it is based on financial considerations or “ a hunch” or a feeling. Now this has brough us to an instable society, individuals, families, nations as the divorce rates are at 70%, wars, economical competition between nations etc. By Choosing the Jewish People which are the incarnation of the 3 Intellectual Sefirot – who can receive the Torah – the Wisdom of HaShem,. The Will of Hashem determines that in order to bring salvation to humanity, to make order upon the emotions, intellect is required. The intellect of Torah vehiculated by the Jewish people as we teach the 7 universal commandments. Therefore we can know all understand that Mashiach will be revealed and Redemption will become a reality lived by all when all the Jews will be returned to Israel and we will be teaching the 7 commandments to humanity – and humanity will be fulfilling them this will re-establish the “ Primordial Man” we are Adam HaRishon, to achieve Unity in Humanity as the Tree of Knowledge will be rectified into the Tree of Life – and we will then have once more Eternal Life.     The Promise made to Abraham and The Real Size of the Land of Israel Bereshit (Genesis) - Chapter 15:18 יּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא כָּרַ֧ת יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־אַבְרָ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית לֵאמֹ֑ר לְזַרְעֲךָ֗ נָתַ֨תִּי֙ אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִנְּהַ֣ר מִצְרַ֔יִם עַד־הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל נְהַר־פְּרָֽת: 15:18 On that day, the Lord formed a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt until the great river, the Euphrates river. On that day, the Lord formed a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt until the great river, the Euphrates river.                  Who is Abraham’s Seed? Gen 21:3 גוַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־שֶׁם־בְּנ֧וֹ הַנּֽוֹלַד־ל֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר־יָֽלְדָה־לּ֥וֹ שָׂרָ֖ה יִצְחָֽק:   And Abraham named his son who had been born to him, whom Sarah had borne to him, Isaac.                            Gen 21:12 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֗ם אַל־יֵרַ֤ע בְּעֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ עַל־הַנַּ֣עַר וְעַל־אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ כֹּל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תֹּאמַ֥ר אֵלֶ֛יךָ שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמַ֣ע בְּקֹלָ֑הּ כִּ֣י בְיִצְחָ֔ק יִקָּרֵ֥א לְךָ֖ זָֽרַע And God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased concerning the lad and concerning your handmaid; whatever Sarah tells you, hearken to her voice, for in Isaac will be called your seed.                              Gen 21:13 וְגַ֥ם אֶת־בֶּן־הָֽאָמָ֖ה לְג֣וֹי אֲשִׂימֶ֑נּוּ כִּ֥י זַרְעֲךָ֖ הֽוּא: But also the son of the handmaid I will make into a nation, because he is your seed."      Gen 22:2 וַיֹּ֡אמֶר קַח־נָ֠א אֶת־בִּנְךָ֨ אֶת־יְחִֽידְךָ֤ אֲשֶׁר־אָהַ֨בְתָּ֙ אֶת־יִצְחָ֔ק וְלֶ֨ךְ־לְךָ֔ אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ הַמֹּֽרִיָּ֑ה וְהַֽעֲלֵ֤הוּ שָׁם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ה עַ֚ל אַחַ֣ד הֶֽהָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ: And He said, "Please take your son, your only one , whom you love , yea , Isaac , and go away to the land of Moriah and bring him up there for a burnt offering on one of the mountains, of which I will tell you."                                 Rashi Explains on your son.  He [Abraham] said to Him,“ I have two sons.” He [God] said to him,“ Your only one.” He said to Him,“ This one is the only son of his mother, and that one is the only son of his mother.” He said to him,“ Whom you love.” He said to Him,“ I love them both.” He said to him,“ Isaac.” Now why did He not disclose this to him at the beginning? In order not to confuse him suddenly, lest his mind become distracted and bewildered, and also to endear the commandment to him and to reward him for each and every expression. — [from  Sanh.  89b,  Gen. Rabbah  39:9, 55:7]   Gen 15:19 יטאֶת־הַקֵּינִי֙ וְאֶת־הַקְּנִזִּ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַקַּדְמֹנִֽי: The Kenites, the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,                          Gen 15:20 כוְאֶת־הַֽחִתִּ֥י וְאֶת־הַפְּרִזִּ֖י וְאֶת־הָֽרְפָאִֽים: And the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Rephaim,                 Gen 15:21    כאוְאֶת־הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְאֶת־הַכְּנַֽעֲנִ֔י וְאֶת־הַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִֽי: And the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites."                         The Kenites, the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites are Edom, Moab, and Ammon, and they are destined to be our heritage in the future, as it is said (Isa.11:14): “upon Edom and Moab shall they stretch forth their hand, and the children of Ammon shall obey them.” - [from  Gen. Rabbah  44:23]   Yeshayahu (Isaiah) - Chapter 11:14 וְעָפ֨וּ בְכָתֵ֚ף פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ יָ֔מָּה יַחְדָּ֖ו יָבֹ֣זּוּ אֶת־בְּנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם אֱד֚וֹם וּמוֹאָב֙ מִשְׁל֣וֹחַ יָדָ֔ם וּבְנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן מִשְׁמַעְתָּֽם: "And they shall fly of one accord against the Philistines in the west, together they shall plunder the children of the East; upon Edom and Moab shall they stretch forth their hand, and the children of Ammon shall obey them." Rashi explains: Israel will fly and run of one accord against the Philistines who are in the west of Eretz Israel and conquer their land and the children of Ammon shall obey them . As the Targum states: Will hearken to them. They will accept their commandments over them (the 7 Noahide Commandments).   The Role of the Jewish people as the Mashiach for Humanity   Rabbi Moshe Weiner, the Author of the Code of Torah Law for All Humanity the Noahide Code states: The explanation of this statement of the Sages is that from the outset of Creation, God chose the nation of Israel as a special nation to serve Him, as it says, [Exodus 19:6] “And you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” , and He designated for them a particular land that is to belong solely to them, and He made it known in His Torah that He created it and gave it to whom He deemed fit.     In Genesis 2:16 וַיְצַו֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל־הָֽאָדָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר מִכֹּ֥ל עֵֽץ־הַגָּ֖ן אָכֹ֥ל תֹּאכֵֽל: And the Lord God commanded man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat. Our sages taught (in the Talmud Sanhedrin 56a) that this verse is referring to the The Seven Universal Commandments for Humanity: “God” – Belief in God “Almighty God” – Not to worship idols “Commanded” – To establish Courts of Law “Man” – To respect Human Life, not to murder. “Saying” – To respect family Relationships, not to commit forbidden relations “You May Eat freely” – not to eat a limb from a living animal “From every Tree of the Garden” – To respect others Property, not to steal The Prophecy of Isaiah 11:9 לֹֽא־יָרֵ֥עוּ וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁחִ֖יתוּ בְּכָל־הַ֣ר קָדְשִׁ֑י כִּֽי־מָֽלְאָ֣ה הָאָ֗רֶץ דֵּעָה֙ אֶת־יְהֹוָ֔ה כַּמַּ֖יִם לַיָּ֥ם מְכַסִּֽים: "They shall neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mount, for the land shall be full of knowledge of the Lord as water covers the seabed." Practical Personal Resolutions Increase in 3 areas of Divine Service: the proper study of Torah (with a proper Rabbi or Jewish mentor, or here at the Academy); Prayer ; Acts of Goodness and Kindness: the observance of the 7 commandments and its 90 derivative laws as well as acts of charity , financial and spiritual, like teaching Torah to others. By Rabbi Moshe Perets    Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright polic y

Rabbi Moshe Perets The Jewish month of Elul is the last month of the Hebrew calendar, the 12th month. During this month we, Jews and Noahides, Bnei Israel and Bnei Noah, take the time to consider how have we served our Creator for the past 11 months! Our Sages reveal to us that this month is the month or Divine Mercy. 30 days during which HaShem reveals His 13 attributes of Mercy, and therefore a new opportunity for us to relate to Him beyond our regular limitations. During this month we increase in 3 areas of Divine Service: the proper study of Torah (with a proper Rabbi or Jewish mentor, or here at the Academy); Prayer (we ad 3 Psalms to our daily prayers); and Acts of Goodness and Kindness (this includes the observance of the 7 commandments and its 90 derivative laws as well as acts of charity , financial and spiritual, like teaching Torah to others). By Rabbi Moshe Perets    Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright polic y

By Rabbi Baruch Simcha By Rabbi Baruch Simcha

Part 1: Part 2: By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy .

Nikanor was the Noahide who Donated the Gates to the Jewish Temple. NIKANOR'S GATE , one of the gates leading to the Temple courtyard during the period of the Second Temple. According to the Mishnah, "There were seven gates in the Temple courtyard.… In the east there was the gate of Nikanor, which had two rooms attached, one on its right and one on its left, one the room of Pinchas the dresser and one the room of the griddle cake makers" (Mid. 1:4). This gate was one of the best known of the gifts made to the Temple and "miracles were performed in connection with the gate of Nicanor and his memory was praised" (Yoma 3:10). Of these miracles the Talmud states: "What miracles were performed by his doors? When Nikanor went to Alexandria in Egypt to bring them, on his return a huge wave threatened to engulf him. Thereupon they took one of the doors and cast it into the sea but still the sea continued to rage. When they prepared to cast the other one into the sea, Nikanor rose and clung to it, saying 'cast me in with it.'" The sea immediately became calm. He was, however, deeply grieved about the other door. As they reached the harbor of Acre it broke the surface and appeared from under the sides of the boat. Others say a sea monster swallowed it and ejected it out onto dry land. Subsequently all the gates of the Sanctuary were changed for golden ones, but the Nikanor gates, which were said to be of bronze, were left because of the miracles wrought with them. But some say that they were retained because the bronze of which they were made had a special golden hue. R. Eliezer b. Jacob said, "It was Corinthian copper which shone like gold" (Yoma 38a). Corinthian gold was the name given to a family of copper alloys with gold and silver which were depletion-gilded to give them a golden or silver luster (see Jacobson ). An important production center for Corinthian gold was in Egypt, where, according to tradition, alchemy had its origins. The gates were undoubtedly made after the time of Herod (the most reasonable date being about the middle of the first century, a generation before the destruction) and were the work of an Alexandrian craftsman. Nicanor is also recorded in a first century C.E. inscription on an ossuary found in October 1902 in a cave on Mt. Scopus in Jerusalem ("the Cave of Nikanor"). The Greek inscription reads: "the remains of the children of Nicanor of Alexandria who made the doors." Nicanor's name also appears in a Hebrew inscription as well. Nikanor's gift was so well known that no additional explanation was necessary. Nikanor was an Alexandrian, though he may have gone to live in Jerusalem. Brought by Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva of Brussels in 2011. He has a medical degree by the University of Louvain in Brussels as well a Masters in Biomedical Research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has for the past years focused on Psychotherapy and developed a new approach: Deep Soul Therapy . He is a spiritual mentor, teacher, coach, and healer who has helped facilitate profound shifts for hundreds of people around the globe. His teaching activities at the Noahide Academy allowed students from all over the world to live passionate, purposeful lives, connect more intimately with G-d, and reveal the hidden light and power of their souls. Rabbi Moshe Perets lives currently in Israel with his wife and 5 children. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets Used Sources BIBLIOGRAPHY H. Graetz, in: MGWJ, 25 (1876), 434f.; A. Buechler, in: JQR, 11 (1898/99), 46-63; W. Dittenberger, Orientis Graeci Inscriptiones Selectae, 2 (1905), 295f., no. 519; E. Schuerer, in: ZNW, 7 (1906), 54ff.; O. Holtzmann, ibid., 9 (1908), 71-74; idem (ed.), Die Mischna Middot (1913); H. Vincent and F.M. Abel, Jérusalem, 2 (1914), 45ff.; S. Klein, Juedisch-palaestinisches Corpus Inscriptionum (1920), 17f., no. 9; Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, 8 (1937), 30, no. 200; Frey, Corpus, 2 (1952), 261f., no. 1256; M. Avi-Yonah, Sefer Yerushalayim, 1 (1956), 412; E. Wiesenberg, in: JJS, 3 (1952), 14-29; E. Bammel, ibid., 7 (1956), 77-78; A. Schalit, Koenig Herodes, 1 (1969), 389ff. ADD. BIBLIOGRAPHY: G. Dickson, "The Tomb of Nicanor of Alexandria," in: PEFQSt (1903), 326-31; C. Clermont-Ganneau, "The 'Gate of Nicanor' in the Temple of Jerusalem," in: PEFQSt (1903), 125-31; R.A.S. Macalister, "Further Observations on the Ossuary of Nicanor of Alexandria, in: PEFQSt (1905), 253–57; R.D. Barnett, Illustrations of Old Testament History (1977), 93–94; J. Schwartz, "Once More on the Nicanor Gate," in: HUCA, 62 (1991), 245–83; T. Ilan, Lexicon of Jewish names in Late Antiquity. Part I: Palestine 330 B.C.E.–200 C.E. (2002), 297–98; D.M. Jacobson, "Corinthian Bronze and the Gold of the Alchemists," in: Gold Bulletin, 33 (2) (2000), 60–66. [Uriel Rappaport / Shimon Gibson (2nd ed.)] Source: Encyclopaedia Judaica . © 2008 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy .

The doorway atop the fifteen semi-circular steps led into the Azarah. The first eleven cubits along the eastern side of the Azarah was called the Courtyard of the Israelites. The gateway atop the fifteen steps that led into the Courtyard of the Israelites were called the Upper Gate, also known as the Nikanor Gate. Nikanor was a Noahide who loved the Jewish People and HaShem so much that he Donated this state of the art and very very expensive Copper Gate and was ready to risk his life in order to make sure that it would get to the Temple! Each door was 5 cubits by 20 cubits. The brass was carved with intricate designs, and its finish was exceedingly bright. The doorway atop the fifteen semi-circular steps led into the Azarah. The first eleven cubits along the eastern side of the Azarah was called the Courtyard of the Israelites. The gateway atop the fifteen steps that led into the Courtyard of the Israelites were called the Upper Gate, also known as the Nikanor Gate. Nikanor was the benefactor who paid the craftsmen in Alexandria, Egypt, to fashion the two large brass doors used for this gate. Each door was 5 cubits by 20 cubits. The brass was carved with intricate designs, and its finish was exceedingly bright. Nicanor had requested these doors were being sent by ship from Egypt to Judea, a storm broke out. The crew was forced to cast one of the two brass doors into the sea. When the danger continued, the crew decided to toss the second gate out as well. Hearing their plans, Nikanor declared that if they throw out the door, they should throw him out as well. His self-sacrifice called for a miracle and the storm subsided. When the ship docked, the door cast overboard was miraculously found floating in the harbor. All the Temple doors were plated with gold except the Nikanor gate. The rabbis wanted the people to see the "miracle doors" in their pristine form. Additionally, the brass finish had the appearance of fine gold. The heavy doors required twenty men to open them. The Nikanor Gate was opened only on the Sabbath, festivals, and Rosh Chodesh. If the king was present in the Temple, the doors were also opened in his honor. On all other days, smaller gateways (to the left and right of Nikanor gate) were used. Brought by Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva of Brussels in 2011. He has a medical degree by the University of Louvain in Brussels as well a Masters in Biomedical Research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has for the past years focused on Psychotherapy and developed a new approach: Deep Soul Therapy . He is a spiritual mentor, teacher, coach, and healer who has helped facilitate profound shifts for hundreds of people around the globe. His teaching activities at the Noahide Academy allowed students from all over the world to live passionate, purposeful lives, connect more intimately with G-d, and reveal the hidden light and power of their souls. Rabbi Moshe Perets lives currently in Israel with his wife and 5 children. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets Used Sources Chabad.org © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy .

Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Does the Tanakh contain passages predicting events that are unfolding before our very eyes? Does the enmity of the Arab world for the West and toward America in particular have something to do with the miraculous rebirth of the Jewish homeland and America’s embrace of it? There is probably no greater religio-political issue facing Bible believers, Jew and non-Jew alike, than whether or not the re-establishment of the State of Israel is portentous in light of Scripture. The hostility of Islamic fundamentalists toward Israel cannot be easily explained. Is there a Biblical source for this centuries-old conflict? How far will it go and how will it be resolved? These questions and many more are grist for the prophetic mill. How America fits into Biblical prophecy is a huge hot button as well. American history seems to be saturated with Jewish influence and disproportionate attention seems to be given to this significant minority. Does the Bible also forecast this phenomenon? As G-d said to Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse.” (Genesis 12:3) The second president of the United States, John Adams, declared toward the end of his life, “For I really wish the Jews again in Judea an independent nation.” Harry Truman, the “Buck Stops Here” president, made good on Adams's best wishes by influencing his administration and the United Nations to approve the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948. Was the moral vision and clarity of these statesmen likewise predicted by Scripture? Or was it simply an issue of free choice? — Rabbi Aaron Parry, Torch of Truth: Family of Nations’ Guide to Hebrew Scripture from a Jewish Perspective. As I continue to update and expand upon his work, I am honored to share his wisdom with you all. In our upcoming ladies 12 week course The Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians we will share with you several fascinating passages that uncannily portend many historical events that have transpired and seem to loom heavily in the future. Enroll Now and Start Your Journey of Rediscovery! Course Duration: 12 weeks Schedule: Tuesdays at 12:30 PM (New York Time) and 7:30 PM (Israel Time) Start: Tuesday 16.07.24 Platform: Live on Zoom Academy Instructor: Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Join us for this transformative 12-week course, "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians." Engage in live, interactive sessions with Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya and explore the Hebrew Scriptures like never before. Rebbeztin Eliora Chaya Parry Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry is a dedicated educator living in Jerusalem, Mount Zion. As a teacher at the Noahide Academy of Israel, she specializes in guiding former christians in rediscovering the Bible through a Jewish perspective. Eliora Chaya's engaging teaching style and profound insights have inspired many to connect more deeply with their spiritual heritage. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

Dear Global Family, Anyone in our interconnected network of nations who hasn’t heard of the Bible by the time they’ve reached adulthood is suffering from Rip Van Winkle-like amnesia. However, being on the world’s bestseller list for the last 3,300 years doesn’t mean that most of humankind truly understands what's in it. Most books published on Holy Scriptures are written from the perspective of the intelligentsia, biblical critics, philosophers, or men and women of non-Jewish clergy.  Few, if any, singular works offer a uniquely Jewish perspective and overview of the entire body of Jewish Scriptures. (The best ones are mentioned in Appendix B in the back of this book.) From Abraham’s pioneering revelations in the Holy Land, Joshua’s vanquishing the Canaanites, and Samson’s epic battles with the Philistines; to the harpist King David's heartfelt pining for G-d in his Psalms, Solomon’s poignant parables and pithy proverbs, and Isaiah’s messianic visions, this Torch of Truth: Family of Nations’ Guide to Hebrew Scripture from Jewish Perspective humbly attempts to give you a taste of true Jewish Scripture. Language barriers tend to lead to misunderstandings, disputes, and even religious tensions. The source of Judaism, Hebrew Scripture, suffers from just such a barrier. Studying Scripture in the original Holy Tongue, Lashon HaKodesh is-indispensable for clear comprehension and proper context. I encourage you to find an appropriate teacher or course where you can master at least a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. One other caveat: There are two basic approaches to a passage of Scripture. There are those who examine Scripture with the belief that “what you see is what you get.” Thus, if it is not implicit from the narration, then it is not part of the story on any level. This is a very superficial approach that leads to misconceptions and erroneous understanding. The other approach—based on a well-established tenet of Judaism—is that a Scriptural verse can be understood on several deeper levels that are only knowable from a carefully preserved oral tradition where context, linguistic nuance, and even Jewish law are all taken into consideration. My hope is that-you will find this work consistent with the concept that Jewish Scripture is like the proverbial iceberg. That is, the eye can perceive only 10 percent of the total mass, while the far greater portion is concealed beneath the surface. As King David said, “Your Torah judgments are always fair. They are firm like mountains, deep like the sea ....” (Psalms 36:7) Accordingly, even a book that attempts the daunting task of providing an overview is by force of circumstances offering only a glimpse of the real thing. If I have been successful in capturing the gist of the timeless wisdom of Jewish Scripture as portrayed by its holy prophets, then my limited mission will have been successful. It is nonetheless up to you to complete the task by delving deeper into the profound eternal treasures found in its exquisite depths. Rabbi Aaron Parry Enroll Now and Start Your Journey of Rediscovery! Course Duration: 12 weeks Schedule: Tuesdays at 12:30 PM (New York Time) and 7:30 PM (Israel Time) Start: Tuesday 16.07.24 Platform: Live on Zoom Academy Instructor: Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Join us for this transformative 12-week course, "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians." Engage in live, interactive sessions with Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya and explore the Hebrew Scriptures like never before. Eliorah Chaya Parry Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry is a dedicated educator living in Jerusalem, Mount Zion. As a teacher at the Noahide Academy of Israel, she specializes in guiding former christians in rediscovering the Bible through a Jewish perspective. Eliora Chaya's engaging teaching style and profound insights have inspired many to connect more deeply with their spiritual heritage. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

Shalom Mishpacha, It is with deep gratitude to the Noahide Academy of Israel, Rabbi Moshe Perets and Rabbi B for this opportunity and truly an honor and great privilege to teach from Rabbi Aaron Parry's z"l book, Torch of Truth: The Family of Nations' Guide to Hebrew Scripture from a Jewish Perspective, in our upcoming 12-week live ladies' class, Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians. The class will begin on July 16 at 7:30 pm Israel Time and will be held on Zoom by the Noahide Academy of Israel. My husband, of blessed memory, authored this book in 2005. Before his passing one year ago, we discussed updating and rebranding it. I am deeply honored to soon complete this project in his merit. The first class coincides with his first yahrzeit and will be dedicated to his memory. Thank you to everyone who has signed up so far. I am looking forward to learning with you and sharing this journey together. Below, I am sharing a letter my husband wrote for the inside cover of the original book, with only slight updates to reflect the relevancy of our new edition. Enroll Now and Start Your Journey of Rediscovery! Course Duration: 12 weeks Schedule: Tuesdays at 12:30 PM (New York Time) and 7:30 PM (Israel Time) Start: Tuesday 16.07.24 Platform: Live on Zoom Academy Instructor: Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Join us for this transformative 12-week course, "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians." Engage in live, interactive sessions with Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya and explore the Hebrew Scriptures like never before. Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry is a dedicated educator living in Jerusalem, Mount Zion. As a teacher at the Noahide Academy of Israel, she specializes in guiding former christians in rediscovering the Bible through a Jewish perspective. Eliora Chaya's engaging teaching style and profound insights have inspired many to connect more deeply with their spiritual heritage. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

By Angelique Sijbolts Ezekiel is the Prophet who speaks most clearly about this: “And they shall no longer defile themselves with their idols, with their detestable things,… And I will form a covenant of peace for them, an everlasting covenant shall be with them; and I will establish them and I will multiply them, and I will place My Sanctuary in their midst forever.” The practice of one specific mitzvah [1] also contains a prophetic promise and thus the "proof" of the coming of the kingdom and of the Messiah. This is the mitzvah with regard to the cities of refuge. We find it named by Rambam in "Kings and Wars" as it states the following: “Even in the section regarding the cities of refuge it says, “If the Lord your G-d shall enlarge your borders…and shall add for you another three cities more…” This actually never took place - found – because there were never nine, but at most six cities of refuge, the extra three must therefore be prophetic – and the Holy One Blessed be He never commands for nothing.” [2] The Eternal One is outside of time and place and is unchanging. [3] Since the Torah is His Will, it is also out of time and is therefore also immutable. As Rambam describes in his ninth belief. [4] These cities have not been added before because the national borders have not yet been shifted, making this assignment to build these three cities the proof of the future Jewish kingdom and of the Messiah that will bring this about. In the Messianic age, all mitzvot shall be executed, because they belong to the Torah and thus to the Eternal and Unchanging Will of the Eternal. It is therefore that the Temple must be rebuilt and will be fully restored. In Ezekiel it is written: “And I will form a covenant of peace for them, an everlasting covenant shall be with them; and I will establish them and I will multiply them, and I will place My Sanctuary in their midst forever” This shows that the Temple will be rebuilt. This will take place in the time of the Messiah. About this Temple we can read in Yeshayahu- Isaiah 2:2-3: “And it shall be at the end of the days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be firmly established at the top of the mountains, and it shall be raised above the hills, and all the nations shall stream to it. And many peoples shall go, and they shall say, "Come, let us go up to the Lord's mount, to the house of the God of Jacob, and let Him teach us of His ways, and we will go in His paths," for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." In Ezekiel from chapter 40, we read a detailed description of what this Temple will look like, with its sizes and specific descriptions. The Rambam indicates that if a righteous Jewish king from King David's dynasty assumes charge of the Jewish people and brings them back to the proper observance of their commandments from the Torah, and rebuilds the Temple and gathers all the Jews into the Land of Israel, this proves that he is the Messiah: “Now, if a king should arise from the House of David who is versed in Torah and engages in Commandments, as did David his forefather, in accordance with both the Written and the Oral Torahs, and he enjoins all of Israel to follow in its ways and encourages them to repair its breaches, and he fights the Wars of G-d, then he may be presumed to be the Messiah. If he succeeds in his efforts and defeats the enemies around and builds the Sanctuary in its proper place and gathers the dispersed of Israel, he is definitely the Messiah.”[5] There are also Sages, like Rashi, that teach that G-d Himself will build the Temple and bring it down to earth.[6] Is the Temple built by the Messiah or by G-d Himself? One possible explanation is that if the Jewish people are worth it in the time of the Messiah, the Temple will descend and if they are not worth it, they will have to build it themselves. When the people are ready for it, G-d will perfect this Temple. Another explanation is that the Messiah will build everything together with the people that can be understood by the human mind. However, the prophecy in Ezekiel, which speaks of the construction of the Third Holy Temple, also contains elements that are incomprehensible to the human mind, G-d will reveal from heaven how these things are to be built. Yet another explanation is that the gates of the Second Temple were never destroyed, but descended into the earth. The Messiah will restore these gates, and G-d will bring down the Temple from heaven. Connecting the gates with the rest of the Temple is then seen as building the Temple from heaven. Commentary for Bnei Noah The Temple is important to Noahides in at least three ways: it is a House of Prayer, a place to bring offerings, and it is a place to learn Torah. We see this in the texts below. The Prophet Ezekiel states: וְיָֽדְעוּ֙ הַגּוֹיִ֔ם כִּ֚י אֲנִ֣י יְ־הֹוָ֔ה מְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בִּהְי֧וֹת מִקְדָּשִׁ֛י בְּתוֹכָ֖ם לְעוֹלָֽם׃ “And when My Sanctuary abides among them forever, the nations shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel.” The Temple will thus be a visible sign between G-d and His people. The nations will learn that the Eternal is faithful to whom he gives his faithfulness. In addition, the peoples will learn and experience that the people of Israel have been right in their teachings on the Torah through the ages. The people will learn that it was they themselves followed wrong ideas -and thoughts, all these centuries. In Isaiah it is written: כֵּ֤ן יַזֶּה֙ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים עָלָ֛יו יִקְפְּצ֥וּ מְלָכִ֖ים פִּיהֶ֑ם כִּ֠י אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־סֻפַּ֤ר לָהֶם֙ רָא֔וּ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־שָׁמְע֖וּ הִתְבּוֹנָֽנוּ׃ מִ֥י הֶאֱמִ֖ין לִשְׁמֻעָתֵ֑נוּ וּזְר֥וֹעַ יְ־הֹוָ֖ה עַל־מִ֥י נִגְלָֽתָה׃ “Just so he shall startled many nations. Kings shall be silenced because of him, For they shall see what has not been told them, Shall behold what they never have heard.” “Who can believe what we have heard? Upon whom has he arm of the LORD--a been revealed?” Yeshayahu- Isaiah 52:15-53:1 Seeing the faithfulness of the Eternal One will motivate the nations to also want to pray to the Holy One, the Temple will therefore be a place for prayer for all the people of the world. In Isaiah it is also written: כִּ֣י בֵיתִ֔י בֵּית־תְּפִלָּ֥ה יִקָּרֵ֖א לְכׇל־הָעַמִּֽים׃ “For My House shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Yeshayahu- Isaiah 56:7) Also at the time of the First and Second Temple, did non-Jews bring their offerings to the Temple where they were brought in by the Priests. This happened especially during the feast of Sukkot. This will happen again in the time of the Messiah as foretold in Zechariah. וְהָיָ֗ה כׇּל־הַנּוֹתָר֙ מִכׇּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם הַבָּאִ֖ים עַל־יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְעָל֞וּ מִדֵּ֧י שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֗ה לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺת֙ לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙ יְ־הֹוָ֣ה צְ־בָא֔וֹת וְלָחֹ֖ג אֶת־חַ֥ג הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃ וְ֠הָיָ֠ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יַעֲלֶ֜ה מֵאֵ֨ת מִשְׁפְּח֤וֹת הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֶל־יְר֣וּשָׁלַ֔͏ִם לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֔ת לְמֶ֖לֶךְ יְ־הֹוָ֣ה צְ־בָא֑וֹת וְלֹ֥א עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם יִהְיֶ֥ה הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃ “All who survive of all those nations that came up against Jerusalem shall make a pilgrimage year by year to bow low to the King LORD of Hosts and to observe the Feast of Booths. Any of the earth’s communities that does not make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to bow low to the King LORD of Hosts shall receive no rain.” Zechariah-14:16-17 [7] In addition to offering prayers and sacrifices, the Temple will be a place where the nations want to go to hear and learn about the Torah, as said by Isaiah: וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית הַיָּמִ֗ים נָכ֨וֹן יִֽהְיֶ֜ה הַ֤ר בֵּית־יְ־הֹוָה֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הֶהָרִ֔ים וְנִשָּׂ֖א מִגְּבָע֑וֹת וְנָהֲר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו כׇּל־הַגּוֹיִֽם׃ וְֽהָלְכ֞וּ עַמִּ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ לְכ֣וּ ׀ וְנַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶל־הַר־יְ־הֹוָ֗ה אֶל־בֵּית֙ אֱ־לֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֔ב וְיֹרֵ֙נוּ֙ מִדְּרָכָ֔יו וְנֵלְכָ֖ה בְּאֹרְחֹתָ֑יו כִּ֤י מִצִּיּוֹן֙ תֵּצֵ֣א תוֹרָ֔ה וּדְבַר־יְ־הֹוָ֖ה מִירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ “In the days to come, the Mount of the LORD’s House shall stand firm above the mountains and tower above the hills; and all the nations shall gaze on it with joy. And the many peoples shall go and say: “Come, let us go up to the Mount of the LORD, to the House of the God of Jacob; That He may instruct us in His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.”For instruction shall come forth from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Yeshayahu- Isaiah 2:2-3 Brought by Angelique Sijbolts Other Articles of interest associated with this one. Universal Consciousness and Knowledge of G-d Gathering The Jewish People Back to Israel Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Sources [1] Mitzvah – plural mitzvot – commandment. [2] See Misneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11:2 - Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11:2 with Connections (sefaria.org) and see Deutr. 12:20 and 19:8-9. [3] See 1 Samuel 15:29, Psalm 102:48, Isaiah 41:4, 43:10 and 48:12 [4] Rambam's ninth belief is: Torah is immutable. Nothing may be added or collected. This applies to both the Written and Oral Torah (see Deuteronomy 13:1 "Add nothing to it, nor do you take anything away from it.") After the Revelation at Sinai, that will never happen again. [5] Mishneh Tora Hilchot Melachim 11:4 , Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 11:4 with Connections (sefaria.org). [6] See the following sources for the fact that the Messiah will rebuild the Temple: Vayikra Rabba 9:6; Bamidbar Rabba 13:2, Shir Rabba at the end of chapter 4. And the following sources that G-d will build the Temple: Rashi and Tossafot over Sukkah 41a, Rosh HaShanah 30a and Shevu'ot 15b. [7]Noahides at the Third Temple With thanks to dr. Michael Schulman With thanks to Whitney Ann Sieverink-McNair Picture from: Paintation © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

By Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry HaShem has wiped the world clean and started things anew with Noah and his small family. However, even with this new start, people quickly reverted to their old ways. But an individual would emerge who would lead the transition from chaos to enlightenment: Abram. The simple purpose of the second half of Genesis or Bereishit is to reveal the exemplary leader and the other righteous individuals who formed the very foundation of the Jewish people. The nickname for Genesis, Sefer HaYashar or Book of the Upright, reflects the book's purpose of relating the deeds of the patriarchs and matriarchs, who were its most upright personalities. Remember Shem, Noah's son? He had many sons and daughters after the flood. One of his descendants is a man named Abram. Abram hailed from Ur Kasdim, a rich city full of culture and art. His father Terach was a merchant in stone and wood images. As was the custom, Abram also worshipped these images. Tradition has it that from the time he was a little boy, Abram wondered what powered the great celestial bodies. His intellectual honesty allowed him to notice that some unifying force gave everything in creation its boundaries. G-d revealed Himself to Abram through His presence in nature. All Abram did was reason that behind all the plan and purpose there must be some heavenly intelligence. Abram did not have a father or mentor to teach him these truths. Instead, G-d imbued him with tremendous wisdom and intellect to understand that this beautiful intricate world must have a creator. So great were Abram's faith and courage that he transformed the generation by his example and teachings. In Chapter 11 of Bereishit/Genesis, we also learn that Abram is married to a woman named Sarai. She, too, will play a key role in the transformation of a generation. Join us for our new course, 'Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians,' where we explore the profound and enduring connection between the soul path of Noahides and Jewish Converts to our Pappa and Momma of historical global influence, Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imenu. Dive deep into the Hebrew Scriptures and explore their rich history and profound insights from a Jewish perspective. Join us on this transformative journey tailored specifically for women who are former Christians. Sign Up Today for Our New Course for Women: "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians" Enroll Now and Start Your Journey of Rediscovery! Course Duration: 12 weeks Schedule: Tuesdays at 12:30 PM (New York Time) and 7:30 PM (Israel Time) Start: Tuesday 16.07.24 Platform: Live on Zoom Academy Instructor: Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Join us for this transformative 12-week course, "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians." Engage in live, interactive sessions with Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya and explore the Hebrew Scriptures like never before. Eliorah Chaya Parry Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry is a dedicated educator living in Jerusalem, Mount Zion. As a teacher at the Noahide Academy of Israel, she specializes in guiding former christians in rediscovering the Bible through a Jewish perspective. Eliora Chaya's engaging teaching style and profound insights have inspired many to connect more deeply with their spiritual heritage. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

By Rebetzin Eliora Chaya Parry What is Jewish Scripture? Jewish Scripture encompasses God's commandments, ancestral narratives, and a wealth of wondrous (and sometimes bizarre) stories that reflect the world in its infancy. This rich tapestry of texts forms the foundation of Jewish life and thought. For over 3,000 years, Jewish Scripture has been integral to the Jewish experience, shaping traditions, beliefs, and practices. Its unique nature and profound teachings have also influenced billions of people around the world, leaving a lasting impact on various cultures and religions. Sign Up Today for Our New Course for Women "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians" Dive deep into the Hebrew Scriptures and explore their rich history and profound insights from a Jewish perspective. Join us on this transformative journey tailored specifically for women who are former Christians. In the first class of "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians," we'll set the stage for your transformative journey. I will provide essential background and context to help you approach the Hebrew Scriptures with a fresh, insightful Jewish lens. Enroll Now and Start Your Journey of Rediscovery! Course Duration: 12 weeks Schedule: Tuesdays at 12:30 PM (New York Time) and 7:30 PM (Israel Time) Start: Tuesday 16.07.24 Platform: Live on Zoom Academy Instructor: Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry Join us for this transformative 12-week course, "Torch of Truth: Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians." Engage in live, interactive sessions with Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya and explore the Hebrew Scriptures like never before. Eliorah Chaya Parry Rebbetzin Eliora Chaya Parry is a dedicated educator living in Jerusalem, Mount Zion. As a teacher at the Noahide Academy of Israel, she specializes in guiding former christians in rediscovering the Bible through a Jewish perspective. Eliora Chaya's engaging teaching style and profound insights have inspired many to connect more deeply with their spiritual heritage. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

The Noahide Academy Weekly Podcast Series: With Moreh Gilbert Menoza Moreh Gilbert Menoza We are honored to feature Moreh Gilbert Menoza on our podcast, where he will share his incredible journey from pastor to Noahide leader. Tune in to hear his inspiring story, insights into the Noahide Code, and the impact of his work within his community and beyond. This episode promises to be a powerful exploration of faith, truth, and the transformative power of spiritual leadership. A New Path of Faith In the vibrant city of Davao, Philippines, a remarkable transformation has unfolded. Moreh Gilbert Menoza, once a devoted pastor, has embraced the teachings of the Noahide Code, inspiring hundreds within his community to follow the Torah's universal laws. His journey is a powerful testament to the pursuit of truth and the impact of dedicated spiritual leadership. The Turning Point Moreh Gilbert Menoza's spiritual journey began with a profound realization. After years of dedicated service as a pastor, he encountered the teachings of the Noahide Code and the Jewish faith. His deep dive into these ancient principles revealed a path that resonated with his quest for spiritual truth and ethical living. The Noahide Code, a set of seven universal laws given to humanity through the Torah, provided Moreh Menoza with a new framework for his faith. These laws, which emphasize ethical monotheism and moral conduct, inspired him to re-evaluate his beliefs and embrace a new spiritual identity as a Noahide. Challenging the New Testament One of the pivotal moments in Moreh Menoza's journey was his critical examination of the New Testament. Through rigorous study, he identified numerous inconsistencies within the text, leading him to question its validity. This realization further solidified his commitment to the Torah and the Noahide Code, which he found to be a more consistent and truthful guide for ethical and spiritual living. Leading a Community Moreh Menoza's personal transformation had a profound impact on his community. He became a beacon of inspiration, leading hundreds of individuals to explore and embrace the Noahide way of life. Today, he is a respected Noahide leader, with a community of 400 members who look to him for guidance and spiritual support. Collaborating with the Noahide Academy For the past two years, Moreh Menoza has been studying with the Noahide Academy, deepening his understanding of the Torah and the Noahide Code. This collaboration has not only enriched his own spiritual journey but has also empowered him to better serve his community through education and leadership. Spreading the Message Moreh Menoza is not just a local leader; he is a dynamic force in the broader Noahide movement. He regularly hosts conferences and events throughout the Philippines, sharing the teachings of the Noahide Code and the Jewish faith. His efforts have fostered a growing interest in these ancient principles, helping many to find a path of ethical and spiritual fulfillment. Conclusion Moreh Gilbert Menoza's story is a beacon of hope and inspiration. His journey from pastor to Noahide leader demonstrates the profound impact of seeking and embracing spiritual truth. His dedication to his community and the broader Noahide movement continues to inspire and uplift countless individuals. We invite you to listen to our podcast and join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of Moreh Gilbert Menoza, a true leader in the Noahide community. By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

By Anita Messica Sivan, the third month of the Jewish calendar, has two meanings, Zyvan - Rays and Sivan - To See. As we just learned and celebrated Shavuot, the receiving the of the Torah, we pray to see the rays of Torah in our personal lives and the future of the Jewish nation. In this 3rd month, we see 3 is represented with the 3 parts of the Torah, given through the 3rd child Moses and the 3 parts of the Jews - Kohanim, Levite, and Israel. 3 also represents Shalom. Torah is the blueprint of the world The tribe of this month is Zebulun. Why did Jacob and Moses at the end of their lives first pay tribute to the tribe of Zebulun before Isaachar (in spite of Isaachar being older than Zebulun and despite the tribe of Isaachar studying Torah and had more spiritual leaders and scholars)? We learn that Zebulun was the greatest businessman and provided not just for his family but also for the tribe of Isaachar so they could study Torah. Patrons and partners who facilitate the study of Torah have equal rewards to studying Torah. Sivan 2024, in the State of Israel, the high court has withdrawn funding of Yeshivot, Torah study centers and mandated drafting orthodox students to the army, this during the time of war. Is this just a physical battle? Even the head of the snake, Iran knows this is a spiritual battle. The Greek empire tried to stop Torah study, and where are they today? The news of the high court may be a wake-up call to each of us and to test our will in supporting Torah study in the Yeshivot. Not just the future of the Jewish people, but the peace of the world lies in Torah. This month is mentioned in Purim. The 23rd of Sivan has spiritual power to cancel evil decrees like in the scroll of Esther. On this coming Shabbat the 23rd of Sivan, we remember the evil decree of Haman against the Jews was canceled. May we see the rays of Torah shine extra on this day through our prayers, mitzvot, and donations for Torah study. By Anita Mesica Anita Mesica is a new writer for the Noahide Academy, currently residing in Dallas, Texas. With a rich background that includes living in Israel for 10 years, she brings a unique perspective and depth of experience to her writing. As a dedicated mother of five, Anita skillfully balances her family life with her passion for sharing knowledge and insights with the Noahide community. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

Are You a Descendant of Noah? By Rabbi Moshe Perets "Noah was a righteous man in his generation.” (Genesis 6:9) We are all descendants of Noah. Noah is a descendant of Adam, so we’re all sons of Adam, too. But the term used by the Talmud and halachah (Torah law) for humanity as a whole is Bnei Noah - “Sons of Noah” - or Noahides. The Seven Universal Commandments that are binding upon every human being: Belief in the One G-d, Honoring G-d, Respecting Family Unity, Others Property, avoiding cruelty to animals; and mandating the establishment of courts of justice are called “The Seven Noahide Commandments”— even though six of them were actually commanded to Adam. There are those amongst our sages who interpret this verse as praise: [If he was righteous in his wicked generation,] how much more wise would he have been in a generation of righteous people! And there are those who interpret it as condemnation: In comparison to his generation he was righteous, but had he lived in Abraham’s generation, he would not have been considered someone exceptional. (Rashi on this verse) Everything about Noah can be seen in a positive light, and in a negative light. Noah built the famous lifeboat that saved him and seven other humans (his wife, his three children and their wives) from the Great Flood. So, you can thank him for saving humanity, or you can criticize him (as the Zohar does) for not saving the rest of his generation. The Torah tells us that Noah did not enter the ark until the very last minute, when the rains were already falling. You can laud his optimism, or you can point out (as Rashi does) that he was a “small believer” in G‑d’s words. ​ The Torah also relates that even after the waters of the Flood had receded and the earth had dried, Noah still would not leave the ark until G‑d expressly commanded him to. You can call him timid, or you can admire (as do our sages) his obedience: G‑d had commanded him to enter the ark, so in the ark he remained until G‑d told him to come out. The first thing Noah did to develop the newly barren earth he found upon emerging from the ark was plant a vineyard, make wine and get drunk. You can be dismayed by his fickleness, or applaud his determination to infuse some joy and merriment into a desolate world. ​ Noah lived 950 years—enough time to do everything wrong and everything right. ​ ​ Adam was the first man. Noah was the first human being. SOURCES From an article published by Rabbi Dr. Michael Schulman in AskNoah.org Illustration Source by Chabad.org By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

By Rabbi Moshe Perets God gave the first six commandments to Adam and Hava (Eve), the first human beings. These commandments were repeated to Noah, and a seventh commandment was added, when, after the Flood, God established the Covenant of the Rainbow with Noah and all of the world’s creatures. This covenant is not dependent on mankind’s observance of these Seven Laws of Noah. Rather, the Noahide Code established the context and the eventual goal for a renewed world in which this covenant could be the open and enduring expression of God’s love for His creation. It was God’s promise to all living creatures that He would never again obliterate all land-life from the world, as stated in Genesis 9:11 “Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” The Covenant of the Rainbow has an inner meaning as well: it was God’s promise that He would always accept a person’s sincere personal repentance if it was directed to Him. From that point on, God endowed mankind with the ability to seek and gain His forgiveness, and with this He insured that a person’s freedom to choose good includes the strength to prevail over animalistic and self-centered desires. Still, the Seven Commandments received by Noah could have been challenged at a later time by any charismatic misleader who also claimed to be a prophet, and how would a person know which course to follow? This points to the singular importance of the revelation at Mount Sinai to the Jewish people, 50 days after God brought them out from slavery in Egypt. ​ At Mount Sinai, the Creator revealed Himself to a nation of at least three million of people, making them all witnesses to testify to their future children and the world, so that no person in any generation could arise to seriously refute the prophecy and instruction which Moses received, which is called the Torah. Included in the Torah was the Noahide Code, to be preserved for the generations of mankind. ​ The entire Book of Genesis, and the Book of Exodus up to and including the arrival of the Israelites at Mount Sinai, were dictated by God to Moses when they arrived there. There was then a first covenant made between God and the Israelites on that first part of the Written Torah, which included their acceptance of the Noahide Code. ​ Thus, the Divine moral code of Seven (Universal) Commandments was renewed, after it had become neglected by the rest of the nations. That was four days before the Ten (Jewish) Commandments were spoken openly by God to all of the Israelites, at which point they became the Jewish people. ​ At Mount Sinai, God taught the essentials of the Torah’s precepts through Moses, and this is called the Oral Torah. Included in this are the details of God’s directive for all Gentiles to observe their Seven Noahide Commandments. These details, as God specified them to Moses, are the true foundation of the Universal Noahide Code. A righteous Gentile merits to receive a place in the eternal future World to Come, in the Messianic Era, through observance of these commandments. That is a Gentile’s part in the Torah of Moses, which is God’s “Tree of Life” (Proverbs 3:18). It all begins with recognizing the perfect Unity of the Creator. ​ Brought by Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He has established the Noahide Academy of Israel website under the non-profit organisation - אור לעמים - Light Unto the Nations since 2016. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva of Brussels in 2011. He has a medical degree by the University of Louvain in Brussels as well a Masters in Biomedical Research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has for the past years focused on Psychotherapy and developed a new approach: Deep Soul Therapy. He is a spiritual mentor, teacher, coach, and healer who has helped facilitate profound shifts for hundreds of people around the globe. His teaching activities at the Noahide Academy allowed students from all over the world to live passionate, purposeful lives, connect more intimately with G-d, and reveal the hidden light and power of their souls. Rabbi Moshe Perets lives currently in Israel with his wife and 5 children. More from Rabbi Moshe Perets © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further. NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy.

The Noahide Academy Weekly Podcast Series: Live Interview with M. Ravi Kumar From Pastor to Noahide Leader In the bustling city of Visakhapatnam, India, a remarkable transformation has taken place. Ovadiah, once a dedicated pastor for 12 years, has embraced a new spiritual path, becoming a leading figure in the Noahide movement. His journey is a testament to the power of faith, learning, and the pursuit of truth. A New Beginning Ovadiah transition from pastor to Noahide began with a deep-seated desire for spiritual fulfillment. After a decade of dedicated service within the christian faith, he felt a profound calling to explore the teachings of the Noahide Code. This ancient set of universal moral laws, rooted in the Torah, resonated deeply with his quest for spiritual clarity and purpose. Embracing the Noahide Code Ovadiah's journey led him to become a Noahide, a follower of the Seven Laws of Noah, which are designed to provide ethical and moral guidance for all of humanity. His commitment to these principles was not merely personal; it became a mission to share this wisdom with others. Leading the Way at Beth-El Yeshiva Today, Ovadiah is the Rosh Yeshiva (head) of Beth-El Yeshiva, a Noahide learning institution in Visakhapatnam that boasts an impressive 300 students from all over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States. Under his leadership, Beth-El Yeshiva has flourished, becoming a beacon of learning and spiritual growth for Noahides in India and beyond. Collaboration with Noahide Academy of Israel Ovadiah's dedication to the Noahide movement extends beyond his local community. For the past seven years, he has been actively involved with the Noahide Academy of Israel, an esteemed institution committed to teaching the Noahide Code to people around the world. His collaboration includes taking advanced courses and contributing to the development and editing of prayer materials, ensuring they are accessible and meaningful to Noahides globally. The Power of Education and Community Through his work with the Noahide Academy of Israel and Beth-El Yeshiva, Ovadiah has demonstrated the transformative power of education and community. His efforts have not only enriched his own spiritual journey but have also empowered countless others to explore and embrace the Noahide way of life. Join Us on the Podcast We are thrilled to feature Ovadiah on our podcast, where he will share his incredible journey from pastor to Noahide leader. Tune in to hear his inspiring story, insights into the Noahide Code, and the impact of his work with Beth-El Yeshiva and the Noahide Academy of Israel. This episode is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the pursuit of truth. Conclusion Ovadiah’s story is a powerful reminder that the quest for spiritual fulfillment can lead us to unexpected and enriching destinations. His leadership and dedication to the Noahide movement continue to inspire and uplift those around him. We invite you to listen to our podcast and join us in celebrating the remarkable journey of Ovadiah, a true beacon of light in the Noahide community. In order to contact directly Ovadiah you may do so : Phone/Wapp: 88850 17177 Email.pas.obadiah@gmail By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

The Noahide Academy Weekly Podcast Series From christian Roots to Jewish Heights: Eliora Chaya’s Inspiring Journey Introduction Meet Eliora Chaya, a remarkable woman whose spiritual journey has taken her from the heart of the United States to the ancient and sacred city of Jerusalem. Her story is one of profound transformation, unwavering faith, and a deep commitment to her newfound identity. Eliora, along with two of her three children, embraced Judaism and made the life-changing decision to move to Israel. Now, she is ready to share her insights and experiences with the world through an exciting new course at the Noahide Academy of Israel. Eliora’s Journey Eliora Chaya’s path to Judaism was not a simple one. Raised in a devout christian family in the United States, she always felt a deep connection to spirituality and faith. However, as she grew older, she began to question certain aspects of her beliefs and felt a pull towards Judaism. This inner calling led her to explore Jewish teachings, rituals, and culture with an open heart and mind. After years of study, reflection, and soul-searching, Eliora made the courageous decision to convert to Judaism. This profound choice was not only a personal journey but also a family one, as two of her children joined her in embracing their new faith. The family’s commitment to Judaism was so strong that she along with her daughter decided to make aliyah, moving to Israel to fully immerse themselves in Jewish life and culture. While her son with his young and growing family lives in Monsey, New York, where he teaches in a Yeshiva and is studying to be a Rabbi. Life in Jerusalem Today, Eliora Chaya and her daughter’s young family live in the vibrant and historic city of Jerusalem. Their new life in Israel has been filled with rich experiences, spiritual growth, and a deeper understanding of their Jewish heritage. Eliora’s journey has equipped her with unique perspectives and insights, which she is now eager to share with others who are on a similar path. Announcing a New Course Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for former christians Eliora Chaya is set to teach a groundbreaking new course at the Noahide Academy of Israel. Titled "Rediscovering the Bible from a Jewish Perspective for Former Christians," this 12-week live Zoom course aims to provide former Christians with a deeper understanding of the Bible through the lens of Jewish tradition and thought. Course Outline ● Course Duration: 12 weeks ● Schedule: Tuesdays at 7:30 pm Israel Time ● Platform: Zoom Academy Room ● Instructor: Eliorah Chaya Course Highlights 1. Introduction and Overview 2. Understanding the Torah 3. The Prophets (Nevi'im) 4. The Writings (Ketuvim) 5. The Jewish Interpretation of the Bible 6. Key Themes in Jewish Theology 7. The Jewish Calendar and Festivals 8. Jesus in Jewish Perspective 9. Jewish Ethics and Morality 10.Prayer and Spirituality in Judaism 11. Jewish Views on Afterlife and Eschatology 12.Conclusion and Reflection This course promises to be a transformative experience, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of Jewish perspectives on biblical texts and themes. Eliora’s unique background and personal journey will undoubtedly enrich the learning experience, offering a bridge between Christian and Jewish teachings. Conclusion Eliora Chaya’s story is a testament to the power of faith, determination, and the pursuit of spiritual truth. Her journey from Christianity to Judaism, and her family’s bold move to Israel, serve as an inspiration to many. Through her new course at the Noahide Academy of Israel, Eliora hopes to guide others on their own paths of discovery, helping them to rediscover the Bible from a Jewish perspective. Join Eliora Chaya on this enlightening journey and explore the depths of the Bible through the wisdom and traditions of Judaism. Enroll today and be part of a community dedicated to learning, growth, and spiritual enrichment. By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

By Rabbi Moshe Perets I A parasha teaching of wisdom for every day of the week for Bnei Noah Sunday, 17 Sivan 5784 (23.06.24) Verse of the Day שְׁלַח לְךָ אֲנָשִׁים וְיָתֻרוּ אֶת אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן וגו': (במדבר יג:ב) [And HAShem told Moses,] “Send out men, if you wish, who will inspect the land of Canaan.” Numbers 13:2 Today's daily Bible verse and teaching come from Parashat Shlach. In Numbers 13:2, HaShem told Moses, "Send out men, if you wish, who will inspect the land of Canaan." When HaShem brought the Jews to Israel and allowed them to send men to inspect the land, He was teaching a profound lesson. The "land" or "ארץ" represents HaShem’s will, which is inherently good and meant to unite with our own will. If we doubt and test His will against our smaller, worldly desires, we see our natural inclinations are often selfish. Through the wisdom of Torah study, our emotions are refined, transforming into divine emotions. This alignment allows us to express our true divine selves and enter our own "Promised Land," experiencing a reality redeemed by divine emotions. Reflect on this wisdom today and let it guide your actions and thoughts. By Rabbi Moshe Perets Sunday, 17 Sivan 5784 (23.06.24) Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

By Patrick Cotroneo In these troubling times, we can all relate in one way or another to the troubles people are going through. Whether spiritual, financial, or personal, we all want and need a person or place to turn to for support and guidance. I have experienced this many times in my life, and by the will of Hashem, I found the Noahide Academy of Israel, which is the one-stop shop for all of this. It isn’t that I don’t have friends or family to turn to, but oftentimes, you don’t want to trouble them with your burdens. I mean, they also have their burdens to deal with, right? When I found the academy, I thought it was just a place to take some courses in learning the bible. I never thought it would be so much more than that. Yes, I do learn the bible by taking the courses available. Still, I also have a support system through other members worldwide who encourage me, answer my questions, and share their experiences of what they and their community/family are going through. It lets you know that you aren't alone and gives you the rewarding feeling of being there to support others. This and much more would not be available if it were not for the academy. The academy is currently over 1200 strong. I am one of the newer members who joined just under a year ago. Like myself, I am sure that many of you have seen great things start happening in your life since discovering the academy. That is why I would like to ask you to join me in a campaign that the academy started. About a month ago, the academy started a campaign to raise $1800. This campaign will help provide Kippahs to people all over the world. Even if you already have a Kippah, this is a great way to support the community here to support you, and it doesn’t take much. If each person donates only $2.00, then the goal is reached! Even during these difficult times, I believe this can be done. If you can do a little more, that would be fantastic! If you can’t, that’s okay, too. But if you can do something, not only will someone else be blessed, but you will be, too. So, join me, and let's make this happen! We have 33 days left; the link is below. Written by, Patrick Cotroneo Student of the Noahide Academy of Israel. Patrick is a Chassid Humot HaOlam who lives in Miamy, Florida with his family. He is a model student of the Noahdie Academy of Israel. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

By Rabbi Moshe Perets What is Shavuot? Understanding the Festival of the Giving of the Torah Shavuot (June 12, 2024) is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the monumental event when G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai, exactly 3,336 years ago. This year, as we celebrate Shavuot on 6 Sivan 5784, we look back to that historic day on 6 Sivan 2448, marking a profound moment in Jewish history. The Essence of Shavuot Shavuot, which means “weeks,” celebrates the completion of the seven-week Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot. This period is characterized by eager anticipation and spiritual preparation, leading up to the giving of the Torah. Shavuot also means “oaths,” signifying the eternal devotion G‑d swore to the Jewish people and the everlasting loyalty they pledged to Him. This dual significance enriches the festival, making it a time of deep spiritual reflection and celebration. Historical Observances In ancient times, two wheat loaves would be offered in the Holy Temple on Shavuot. It was also the time when people would begin to bring bikkurim, their first and choicest fruits, to thank G‑d for Israel’s bounty. The Seven Noahide Commandments and Shavuot The connection between Shavuot and the Seven Noahide Commandments is profound. According to Exodus 19:9, the recounting and recording of the Seven Noahide Commandments by Moses took place at Mount Sinai two days before G‑d spoke openly to the entire Jewish nation. In Exodus 24:3, it states, “Moses came and told the people all the words of G-d and all the laws…” Here, “all the laws” refers to the Seven Noahide Commandments and some of the Jewish Commandments that the Israelites had already been commanded before arriving at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 24:4, “Moses wrote all the words of God” signifies that he wrote down the Book of Genesis, which contains the verses about the earlier Covenant of Noah and the Noahide Commandments, and the Book of Exodus up to that point. Thus, G‑d commanded the Jewish people to preserve and publicize the Noahide Commandments and all their details for all nations and generations based on the revelation at Mount Sinai. Practically, What Can a Noahide Do on Shavuot? Here are some ways Noahides can participate in the celebration of Shavuot: Study the Seven Commandments: Revisit the Seven Noahide Commandments and their details to deepen your understanding and commitment. Stay Awake and Study Torah: Men may choose to stay awake during the night, similar to the Jewish tradition, and study Torah. Charity: Giving charity is a meaningful way to honor the spirit of Shavuot. Candle Lighting: Women and girls can light candles on the dinner table to mark the day. Attend Synagogue: All men, women, and children can go to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments on the first day of Shavuot. Celebrate with Special Meals: Prepare and enjoy special meals, incorporating dairy foods as per Jewish custom, such as cheese blintzes, quiches, and casseroles. Read the Book of Ruth: Reading the Book of Ruth is customary, as King David, a descendant of Ruth the Moabite, passed away on this day. Decorate with Flowers: Some have the custom to decorate their homes and synagogues with flowers and sweet-smelling plants in advance of Shavuot. Join Us in Celebrating Shavuot We recently held a profound Zoom conference discussing "The Giving of the 10 and the 7 Commandments for Humanity" on Shavuot. For those who couldn’t attend, we invite you to watch the video of this enriching event here. As we celebrate Shavuot, let us reflect on the deep connections and responsibilities shared between the Jewish people and the Noahide community. May this festival bring us closer to our spiritual roots and enhance our understanding of G‑d's eternal wisdom. By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

By Patrick Cotroneo When I realized that things in the ch'ristian faith just weren't adding up, I asked myself; how did I become a ch'ristian in the first place? This question really got me thinking back to how this all happened. My first significant memory of a church is when I was younger and attended Sunday school. We would sing songs like ‘Father Abraham had many sons’ and ‘Jesus loves me, yes I know,’ all the while not even really knowing who these people, I was singing about were. We would color pictures of a man talking to groups of people, mixed in with pictures of Noah’s ark with animals sticking their heads out of windows or Moses holding the Ten Commandments. This was all lead-up to what would be a story about a man who gave it all up for me so that I could go to heaven. But who was this man? I didn’t care then; I was a kid making friends and having fun, and I equated friends and fun to going and hearing about this man, Jesus. The second memory I have is going from church to church. My mom wanted to be a part of a church and, of course, wanted her family to be a part of that with her. We, as kids, didn’t really know the difference between one or the other; our only comparison was which one had the most kids our age to hang out with. They all talked about the same person; the only difference was the building and the format in which it was delivered. This went on for quite some time until right before my teenage years. At this point, my mother had decided on a church that she wanted to be at: the Witnesses or the J.W.’s. This was her childhood church/Hall that she was brought up in, and she made her way back. This was a very interesting new environment for my brothers, sister, and me. There were kids there, the people were friendly, and they still talked about this man Jesus, but something just wasn’t right. Not that the other churches we went to were right, but it was out of the norm for us children. Let's be honest; we were there to make friends and have fun. This was none of that. It was very structured, sad, and almost at times intimidating. There was no hanging with your friends or doing fun things while the parents did “the real work”. No, the kids at this place (including myself) did talks, were engaged in studies, and were held accountable for not meeting the congregation's demands. Looking back now, it seemed more like they were trying to get us programmed to a set of beliefs instead of teaching us about having a genuine connection with G-d. This went on for a few years, and then I started going to youth groups with friends at other churches. This was refreshing. Not only was I able to hang out with my friends and do fun things like play pool, table tennis, and foosball, But I was also able to check off the box that I was doing it for God. This became comfortable for me. This serving God stuff seemed easy now; all I had to do was show up! This then went on for some time until after I left school. I always wanted to be close to God; I just didn’t know what that meant. After I left school a little later in life, my father became involved in the church. It was the Seventh Day Adventist and boy, that brought a new spin on things. Not only did they talk about this Jesus guy, but they also talked about “prophecy”. (Which was very interesting to me) They also seemed like the adult version of what I was used to and enjoyed as a kid. They had fellowship gatherings after church that included food. (This was probably my new selling point) The latest hook that got me here was things they said other churches were missing. Observing the Sabbath and eating uncleaned foods were their big talking points, and coming from someone who didn’t know much of anything about the bible, it all seemed real and attractive. They showed me scripture that backs up what they are saying, so it has to be true. Boy, was I wrong, but I wouldn’t realize until many years later. After some time with the Adventist church, there were a few things that I couldn’t get on board with that caused me to leave. One was that they claimed to have a prophet named Ellen White, who was part of the church. They put a lot of stock in this person, which never resonated with me. The other big thing for me was their view that “the church,” specifically “their church,” had replaced the Jewish people as God's chosen ones. At this point, I couldn’t even tell you if I knew a Jew or anything about their teachings, but one thing I did know, for whatever reason, was this didn’t add up, and I wasn’t sticking around to find out why. So, after leaving the adventist church, I went on a journey of church hopping. This time, it was in nondenominational churches. They all were pretty much the same, talking about this man Jesus, with the only real difference being the size of the congregation. This went on for years; for those years, I never felt a connection to God that felt genuine or like something wasn’t missing. At this point in my life, I was starting to pay attention to things being taught, and things didn’t seem right, but I could never really put my figure on them. Was it because they didn’t teach about unclean food? Was it because they worshipped on Sunday? Was it because prophecy wasn’t even being taught? I didn’t know; I just knew I needed to find out, and that I did. Looking back now, I can see how someone, myself included, could get pulled into the Christian belief system. It starts so subtle, simple, and attractive. I mean, why wouldn’t someone quickly grasp onto the belief that if you believe in this one guy, it will give you a pass to live your life without accountability, and you will still go to heaven? The reason it sounds too good to be true is that it is; it’s a fairytale, except this fairytale doesn’t have a happy ending. Written by, Patrick Cotroneo Student of the Noahide Academy of Israel. Patrick is a Chassid Humot HaOlam who lives in Miamy, Florida with his family. He is a model student of the Noahdie Academy of Israel. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

Noahide Weekly Podcasts In the heart North Carolina, where tradition and modernity often collide, Jeremy McMillan’s journey is a compelling testament to the power of spiritual discovery and personal transformation. Once a devoted pastor, Jeremy’s path took an unexpected turn, leading him back to the ancient roots of Torah and Judaism. The Early Years Jeremy McMillan grew up in a deeply religious Christian household. His early years were marked by a profound connection to faith and community, which naturally led him to pursue a career in ministry. As a pastor, he found fulfillment in guiding his congregation, preaching, and fostering a strong sense of fellowship. His days were filled with service, compassion, and a steadfast belief in his calling. Seeds of Doubt Despite his dedication, Jeremy couldn't ignore the growing questions in his heart. He felt a disconnect between the doctrines he preached and the questions that kept surfacing during his personal study of the Bible. These questions were not mere curiosities but profound theological dilemmas that challenged his core beliefs. The Turning Point A pivotal moment came during an interfaith dialogue where Jeremy encountered Jewish scholars who spoke of the Torah with a depth and authenticity that resonated deeply with him. Intrigued, he began to explore Jewish texts, traditions, and the rich tapestry of rabbinic wisdom. What started as an intellectual curiosity soon became a spiritual awakening. Embracing Torah Jeremy’s exploration of Judaism revealed a faith that was both ancient and alive, a tradition that embraced questioning and learning as a path to spiritual growth. He was particularly drawn to the Noahide Laws, which offered a universal ethical framework that transcended religious boundaries. The clarity and depth of these teachings spoke to his soul, providing answers to questions that had long troubled him. The Return to Judaism After years of study and reflection, Jeremy made the courageous decision to leave his pastoral position and formally embrace Judaism. His journey was not without challenges—leaving behind a well-established career and a supportive community required immense faith and resilience. Yet, with each step, he felt a growing sense of peace and fulfillment. A New Beginning Today, Jeremy McMillan is a passionate advocate for Torah study and the Noahide Laws. He shares his journey through lectures, writings, and community engagements, inspiring others to explore the spiritual richness of Judaism. His story is a beacon of hope for those seeking deeper meaning and connection in their spiritual lives. Conclusion Jeremy McMillan’s journey from a Christian pastor to a devoted follower of Torah and Judaism is a remarkable narrative of faith, courage, and transformation. It underscores the timeless relevance of the Torah and the universal appeal of its teachings. His return to Judaism is not just a personal triumph but a powerful reminder that the quest for truth and spiritual fulfillment is a journey worth undertaking. Through Jeremy’s story, we are reminded that the pursuit of spiritual truth often leads us down unexpected paths, enriching our lives in ways we never imagined. His return to Torah and Judaism stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the transformative journey of spiritual discovery. By Rabbi Moshe Perets Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy

Noahide Weekly Podcasts At the start of my journey it was difficult to articulate my words to people, I knew what I meant in my thoughts but to bring the words together without offending was another challenge. As I read the Torah everything would come together in my mind flowingly and eliminate what I had previously believed before. I figured I would continue reading to analyse what I had read that day and process everything in my thoughts. Yes, during this time I was very quiet! But at the same time it gave me a chance to watch people in what they’d say regarding religion, one’s view and idea and all I saw was the same response that a priest would teach, no thought of their own. When I was little I looked up to my priest, he would teach philosophy of the new testament and I would listen, I was already an alter boy so only made sense to learn all that I can. I asked why couldn’t he get married? The vow of celibacy being 100% devoted to God. Years later turned out he had a family in secret and people judged him of course,  but I said “what’s wrong with him having family?” No one answered. He was a man, a males anatomy, created with enjoyment and love of a family. Hasn’t that been the story since the beginning? “Go out and multiple” goes to show you can’t go against what you are inside.... human. Some people told me through the years that I had changed, one can hope for the better of course. Can’t be a slave to sin forever, there’s always a bill to pay at the end, as you know from my previous article. But not everyone could understand my journey, I was definitely laying the foundations within myself so nobody could steer me in the wrong direction. Not to long ago I had a conversation with my five year son about faith, in my thoughts “How am I going to explain that!” result would be keeping it simple that related to him... “You know when daddy takes you to the indoor playground and they have rules” his response was “like how we have to take off our shoes” as I laughed “yes son, imagine the universe as God’s playground but there are rules, must love God and only God, you can’t take something that’s not yours, you can’t hurt people, be good to your family (obviously as he gets older go more into detail), follow the rules and be good to the animals” he had so many questions after this chat of ours, and now it’s a on going chat between a father and son, I tell him it’s our “man chat” between us. He loves it. I try to put my self in his position when I was his age, I had a lot of questions but like most of us we all got the same response “it is because it is” not to pass blame but perhaps they didn’t know how to explain or think we wouldn’t understand. I wish I knew these foundations earlier in life, would of saved me a lot of years of self repair, but maybe that was the point now, making that change. I used this analogy with a few of my friends and yet it made more sense to them then what they were taught. Of course I would go into more details but I would put it to ways that related to them. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” ( Genesis 1:26 ). God created us with love and happiness, with everything that we would ever need, nothing more nothing less, it doesn’t mention I’m sending a son for you to idolize, after all he didn’t create heaven and earth. But like an owner of a house in this case a “playground” we should respect the laws and rules, live life positively with all its adventures included. Even the simplest moment that can last forever like talking to my son about Hashem. After all we are the colors to his painting of his masterpiece.... the universe. By Matthew Emmanuel Slovacek Emmanuel is a Chassid Humot HaOlam who lives in Melbourne, Australia with his family. © Copyright, all rights reserved. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further according to the NoahideAcademy.org's copyright policy