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Noahide Holidays

QUESTION #18(a) : Do Noahides celebrate non-Jewish religious holidays, Jewish religious holidays, secular holidays (for example, the 4th of July / U.S. Independence Day), etc.? I am searching. There are not many books that can answer my questions.
> K.

ANSWER : An answer to the question of Torah-based or non-Torah holiday celebrations by Noahides can be found in the chapter on "The Prohibition Against Making a New Religion or Adding a Commandment," in the book The Divine Code, Volume 1, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem.

The relevant text is copied here, with a few inserted comments in brackets. From The Divine Code, Volume 1, p. 66:

a Gentile ... who establishes a "holy day" for himself that is similar to the holy days and Sabbaths of the Jews, which are religious holidays (i.e. "a holy assembly" day, during which he prohibits himself from work) ... is creating for himself a new religion [which is forbidden; ... this includes] even the setting aside of any day for a specific religious observance or statute, such as one who establishes for himself a time to eat a special food as a precept (e.g., eating unleavened bread on Passover), or to fast on a specific day (e.g., the Jewish fast day of Yom Kippur), and the like. Even if he did not also set it aside as a sabbath or festival day (i.e., for refraining from work), this is considered as creating a festival and a religion from his own comprehension [for example, Easter or the popular holiday on Dec. 25]. However, if he sets up for himself a day of rest from work, not as a holiday but just as a break from work, it is permissible, for he is not establishing it as a religious precept from his own comprehension .

Celebrating secular activities and commemorating historical events, even if they involve a festive meal, are permissible for Noahides [for example, the Independence Day of your own country, such as July 4th in the U.S.]. [It is also permissible for Noahides to participate in days that are set aside by their nation for remembering to praise and give thanks to the One True G-d, such as Thanksgiving and the National Day of Prayer in the U.S., and to strengthen logically incumbent precepts, such as honoring parents on Mothers Day and Fathers Day, or national days for acts of charity.]

For our MP3 audio clip on celebration of secular and Jewish holidays, CLICK HERE.

QUESTION #18(b) :

I was wondering if there are any Jewish holidays that are "off limits" to Noahides, or are we able to celebrate them all?
>J.

I read on the internet that Noahides can celebrate Passover, not in the Jewish way, but with some changes. Is this true? And if it is, how can I celebrate it?
> M. C.

ANSWER :

From the chapter on "The Seven Laws of the Children of Noah," in the book The Path of the Righteous Gentile [Ask Noah comments inserted in brackets]:

... Shavuot [i.e. the day of the "10 Commandments" at Mt. Sinai], celebrating the Giving of the Torah, [is relevant to Noahides] since the Children of Noah also received their commandments at the same time. Or Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and Day of Judgment, since all mankind is judged by G-d on that day, so it should therefore be important to the Noahide as well as the Israelite. Rosh Hashanah is also the day that Adam, the First Man, was created by G-d, and all mankind is descended from Adam [and Hava (Eve)] just as it is from Noah [and his wife Naamah] ... however, the Noahide ... may not "rest" in the manner of the Jews [i.e. refrain from normal weekday activities in the traditional Torah-prescribed manner of a formal religious observance] .

In general, observant Noahides can (but are not required to) commemorate these Jewish festivals that in some way relate to them and their spiritual mission. But you should be aware that these days are not to be commemorated by Noahides in the same way that they are commanded to be fully observed by Jews. For instance, a Noahide should not refrain from normal activities on the Jewish Holy Days or Sabbath, and should not perform those Jewish commandments that are religious only and have no practical benefit for Noahides (for example, waiving the four species of plants during the Festival of Sukkot).

The Jewish holiday which has the least relevance to Noahides is Purim. Also Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah and Yom Kippur have little relevance to Noahides, other than as reminders of constantly-relevant general Torah principles.

QUESTION #18(c) : Is it OK for a Noahide to fast on Tisha B'Av? [The 9th of the Hebrew month of Menachem Av, when Jews observe total fasting for about 24 hours and 40 minutes, as part of their traditional mourning on this anniversary of the destruction of both the first and the second Holy Temples in Jerusalem.]
> J.

ANSWER :

It would seem that if a Noahide would make a full observance of all the Jewish precepts of Tisha B'Av, he would be making a religiously-observed memorial day for himself, which is like innovating a religious observance, which is forbidden (see the first question and answer above).

Rabbi Moshe Weiner, author of Sefer Sheva Mitzvot HaShem, says that the only point upon which an individual Noahide could justify fasting is that he is mourning the temporary (but far too long) destruction of the Holy Temple and the exile of the Divine Presence. Since this is a permitted activity, it depends on his intention.

However, in this final generation of spiritual exile (which will please G-d be the first generation of the Redemption), people are not nearly as physically strong as they used to be. Therefore it is recommended that fasting should be minimized, if done at all, for those who are not obligated. Certainly a Noahide who has a medical problem should not fast if there is any health risk involved, or he should consult with his doctor as to what he can safely do.

Furthermore, the continuous obligation of Noahides is "yishuv olom," improving the condition of the world, and one who is weakened by fasting might fall short in what he could have accomplished that day for yishuv olom, G-d forbid. Also, if fasting causes one to become irritable, short-tempered or prideful, G-d forbid, there could be an actual bad effect from the fasting, which is the opposite of what needs to be accomplished. In our days it is very acceptable to substitute non-obligatory fasting with donations to proper charities (the value of at least one normal meal is suggested). Recommended charities are those which are consistent with Torah-true principles and yishuv olom. Also, the main practical intention is not for fasting, but for repentance.

Certainly a Noahide is encouraged to pray that the Third Holy Temple shall be established by Moshiach ben David very speedily in our days. And it very appropriate for a Noahide to read the Book of Lamentations on the night and/or day of Tisha B'Av.

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Noahide Holidays

QUESTION #18(a) : Do Noahides celebrate non-Jewish religious holidays, Jewish religious holidays, secular holidays (for example, the 4th of July / U.S. Independence Day), etc.? I am searching. There are not many books that can answer my questions. > K. ANSWER : An answer to the question of Torah-based or non-Torah holiday celebrations by Noahides can be found in the chapter on "The Prohibition Against Making a New Religion or Adding a Commandment," in the book The Divine Code, Volume 1, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem. The relevant text is copied here, with a few inserted comments in brackets. From The Divine Code, Volume 1, p. 66: a Gentile ... who establishes a "holy day" for himself that is similar to the holy days and Sabbaths of the Jews, which are religious holidays (i.e. "a holy assembly" day, during which he prohibits himself from work) ... is creating for himself a new religion [which is forbidden; ... this includes] even the setting aside of any day for a specific religious observance or statute, such as one who establishes for himself a time to eat a special food as a precept (e.g., eating unleavened bread on Passover), or to fast on a specific day (e.g., the Jewish fast day of Yom Kippur), and the like. Even if he did not also set it aside as a sabbath or festival day (i.e., for refraining from work), this is considered as creating a festival and a religion from his own comprehension [for example, Easter or the popular holiday on Dec. 25]. However, if he sets up for himself a day of rest from work, not as a holiday but just as a break from work, it is permissible, for he is not establishing it as a religious precept from his own comprehension . Celebrating secular activities and commemorating historical events, even if they involve a festive meal, are permissible for Noahides [for example, the Independence Day of your own country, such as July 4th in the U.S.]. [It is also permissible for Noahides to participate in days that are set aside by their nation for remembering to praise and give thanks to the One True G-d, such as Thanksgiving and the National Day of Prayer in the U.S., and to strengthen logically incumbent precepts, such as honoring parents on Mothers Day and Fathers Day, or national days for acts of charity.] For our MP3 audio clip on celebration of secular and Jewish holidays, CLICK HERE.

QUESTION #18(b) : I was wondering if there are any Jewish holidays that are "off limits" to Noahides, or are we able to celebrate them all? >J. I read on the internet that Noahides can celebrate Passover, not in the Jewish way, but with some changes. Is this true? And if it is, how can I celebrate it? > M. C. ANSWER : From the chapter on "The Seven Laws of the Children of Noah," in the book The Path of the Righteous Gentile [Ask Noah comments inserted in brackets]: ... Shavuot [i.e. the day of the "10 Commandments" at Mt. Sinai], celebrating the Giving of the Torah, [is relevant to Noahides] since the Children of Noah also received their commandments at the same time. Or Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year and Day of Judgment, since all mankind is judged by G-d on that day, so it should therefore be important to the Noahide as well as the Israelite. Rosh Hashanah is also the day that Adam, the First Man, was created by G-d, and all mankind is descended from Adam [and Hava (Eve)] just as it is from Noah [and his wife Naamah] ... however, the Noahide ... may not "rest" in the manner of the Jews [i.e. refrain from normal weekday activities in the traditional Torah-prescribed manner of a formal religious observance] . In general, observant Noahides can (but are not required to) commemorate these Jewish festivals that in some way relate to them and their spiritual mission. But you should be aware that these days are not to be commemorated by Noahides in the same way that they are commanded to be fully observed by Jews. For instance, a Noahide should not refrain from normal activities on the Jewish Holy Days or Sabbath, and should not perform those Jewish commandments that are religious only and have no practical benefit for Noahides (for example, waiving the four species of plants during the Festival of Sukkot). The Jewish holiday which has the least relevance to Noahides is Purim. Also Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah and Yom Kippur have little relevance to Noahides, other than as reminders of constantly-relevant general Torah principles.

QUESTION #18(c) : Is it OK for a Noahide to fast on Tisha B'Av? [The 9th of the Hebrew month of Menachem Av, when Jews observe total fasting for about 24 hours and 40 minutes, as part of their traditional mourning on this anniversary of the destruction of both the first and the second Holy Temples in Jerusalem.] > J. ANSWER : It would seem that if a Noahide would make a full observance of all the Jewish precepts of Tisha B'Av, he would be making a religiously-observed memorial day for himself, which is like innovating a religious observance, which is forbidden (see the first question and answer above). Rabbi Moshe Weiner, author of Sefer Sheva Mitzvot HaShem, says that the only point upon which an individual Noahide could justify fasting is that he is mourning the temporary (but far too long) destruction of the Holy Temple and the exile of the Divine Presence. Since this is a permitted activity, it depends on his intention. However, in this final generation of spiritual exile (which will please G-d be the first generation of the Redemption), people are not nearly as physically strong as they used to be. Therefore it is recommended that fasting should be minimized, if done at all, for those who are not obligated. Certainly a Noahide who has a medical problem should not fast if there is any health risk involved, or he should consult with his doctor as to what he can safely do. Furthermore, the continuous obligation of Noahides is "yishuv olom," improving the condition of the world, and one who is weakened by fasting might fall short in what he could have accomplished that day for yishuv olom, G-d forbid. Also, if fasting causes one to become irritable, short-tempered or prideful, G-d forbid, there could be an actual bad effect from the fasting, which is the opposite of what needs to be accomplished. In our days it is very acceptable to substitute non-obligatory fasting with donations to proper charities (the value of at least one normal meal is suggested). Recommended charities are those which are consistent with Torah-true principles and yishuv olom. Also, the main practical intention is not for fasting, but for repentance. Certainly a Noahide is encouraged to pray that the Third Holy Temple shall be established by Moshiach ben David very speedily in our days. And it very appropriate for a Noahide to read the Book of Lamentations on the night and/or day of Tisha B'Av.

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