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Sabbath restrictions are for Jews only
#11
The one who "cited" Isaiah ch. 56 is blatantly misrepresenting the correct simple meaning of that Hebrew text. Isaiah prophesied to the Jewish people, calling them to repent and follow the Jewish commandments, so they would not be punished by G-d with the exile and loss of the 10 Tribes, and the destruction of the First Holy Temple.

Verse 56:2 is addressed to the Jewish people. Isaiah warns the Jewish people to observe the two Jewish commandments of the Jewish Sabbath, from their "10 Commandments": (a) to observe (keep, guard) the uniquely Jewish Sabbath restrictions, and (b) to not desecrate (not profane) the separation that that G-d commands only the Jews to make between the seventh day and the rest of the week. These two Jewish commandments are found in the statements of the "10 Commandments" in Exodus and Deuteronomy. In both cases, they are addressed specifically to the Jews as a commemoration of THEIR Exodus from Egypt.

In verse 56:3, the only correct translation and meaning of "the foreigner who joined the L-rd" is a person who converted and became a Jew, who was orginally a non-Jew. This is obvious from the plain context of the verses in the chapter, and this is how it is taught by Rashi.

In verse 56:4, the more specific and correct translation of "barren one" is "eunuch." The eunuchs were Jewish men who were castrated as part of a service to one of the pagan gods that some Jews were worshipping at that time. Isaiah was telling them that if they would repent and return to observing the Jewish commandments, including the observance of the Jewish Sabbath, G-d would forgive them even for their involvement in the sins of idolatry and castration, and He would fully accept their repentence.

Verse 56:6 again addresses the righteous converts about the two Jewish commandments of the Jewish Sabbath (to observe and not to desecrate), and to "hold fast to My covenant." The meaning of "hold fast to My covenant" is that Jews must observe their covenant with G-d for religious circumcision.

Verse 56:8 is G-d's promise that when He will return the exiled Jews from their diaspora, He will also include those who properly converted to become Jews, and their descendents.

This is all very clear in Rashi's explanation of the meaning of the verses. Someone who denies this, G-d forbid, is denying the correct meaning of these Hebrew Scriptures. To claim that "foreigners" in this chapter could mean unconverted non-Jews is indeed denying the simple meaning of G-d's prophetic message, as well as contradicting the established teachings of the traditional Sages and Rabbis of Israel, who are the experts on Torah. In Hebrew, one of the well-known meanings of the word "foreigners" is people who converted to become Jews. As in every language, there are some words that can have different meanings, and the correct meaning in a specific case is known from the context. There are numerous other examples of this principle in the Hebrew Scriptures.
#12
Hi Rabbis,

I've read online that Noahides don't need to keep the Sabbath. But after reading Isaiah 56, I was wondering if a Noahide chooses to keep the sabbath, how should he/she keep it?

Thanks for your help.

Janine
#13
Thanks for your question Janine. Post #11 above in this thread explains that Isaiah ch. 56 speaks only about the Sabbath observance of former Gentiles who have properly converted to become Jews, and their Jewish descendents. It is not suggesting that righteous Gentiles (Noahides) should take upon themselves to religiously observe any Sabbath restrictions, because that is commanded to Jews only.

Please see the posts on p.1 of this thread, which explain that making nice meals, and using off-time from work for non-ritualized rest, relaxation, Torah study, prayer, and quality time with family and friends is certainly permitted for Gentiles.
#14
Sorry to say that you are confused about this verse. The original Hebrew for the text you placed in bold type, "thy stranger" is "ger'cha," which means "your ger," i.e. "your convert." It is clearly specifying that a righteous convert to Judaism is commanded to keep the Jewish Sabbath, just like a born Jew.
#15
(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: In the Shulchan Aruch it says If one forgets the lighting of the Shabbos candles is as if one denies the Torah publicly.

Firstly, the Shulchan Aruch speaks about the Jewish precepts of Jewish Shabbath observance that are commanded for the Jewish people. Secondly, "denial of the Torah" only applies for one who deliberately does not do a commandment that he or she is obligated to observe.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: Was the Torah given just to the Jewish nation

Yes.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: or was it given to be shared throughout the world for a better World to Come?

Yes. G-d gave the Torah to the Jews so they can share the parts that are incumbent on all the Gentiles throughout the world, as well as Torah-based (i.e. true) morality. When the ruling Gentiles permit the Jews to perform this Divine mission, the Torah-faithful Jews are obligated to do so.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: Shulcan Aruch chapter 72 it clearly states that not observing shabbat is idolatry

That only applies for Jews who are commanded about observing a Sabbath on the 7th day, and it does not state that not doing so IS idolatry. Rather, for Jews it is a sin that is equivalent in some respects to idolatry.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: -which is of course one of the Noahide laws that forbids idolatry.

Within the Torah's Noahide Code, the idolatry that is forbidden to Gentiles is the worship of an idol. Belief in idolatry is also forbidden, but it is not punishable in a physical court, because belief itself does not involve a physical action.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: Or is it again just to the Jewish nation?

Observance of the Jewish Torah commandments regarding Sabbath is just for the Jewish nation, as stated clearly in the 10 Commandments, and as is the ruling in Torah Law.

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: Is there a Shulchan Aruch yet for Noahides?

Yes, and there has been for several years:

Original Hebrew volumes:
https://asknoah.org/books/sheva-mitzvot-hashem

English translation:
https://asknoah.org/books/the-divine-code

Booklet of prayers and blessings:
https://asknoah.org/books/prayers-blessi...r-noahides

(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: I am very confused on how to celebrate Shabbat if there is a wrong way or a right way for us?
Thank you.

Yes! For information on how Noahides can honor the Jewish Sabbath, see this topic in our forum:
https://asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=145
#16
(06-20-2011, 04:58 PM)BeeCos Wrote: In the Shulchan Aruch it says If one forgets the lighting of the Shabbos candles is as if one denies the Torah publicly. Was the Torah given just to the Jewish nation or was it given to be shared throughout the world for a better World to Come?
Shulcan Aruch chapter 72 it clearly states that not observing shabbat is idolatry-which is of course one of the Noahide laws that forbids idolalitry. Or is it again just to the Jewish nation? Is there a Shulchan Aruch yet for Noahides?
I am very confused on how to celebrate Shabbat if there is a wrong way or a right way for us?
Thank you.

Hi Yom Tov,

I think "Shulchan Aruch" for Jewish People equivalent to "The Divine Code" for Noahides.
#17
Thanks for your post, and welcome to the Forum!
Please note that the title of this thread is "Sabbath restrictions are for Jews only."

This "lunar Sabbath" is a fiasco that is a variation on a false claim that goes back to religious rebellion of the Karaites, and the Sadducees before them in the days of the ancient Greek empire. In Hebrew, the word "sabbath" also means "rest." Jews [only] are commanded to also withhold from performing certain activities on their holy Festival days (Passover, Sukkot, etc.), so those days can also be referred to as type of "sabbath" (rest day) for the Jews, but not in the sense of the designated 7th-day Sabbath that falls in 7-day intervals from the 7th day of creation. Thus, Yom Kippur, which always falls on the 10th day of the lunar Hebrew month of Tishrei (which is never the full moon, and falls on different days of the week in different years), is called in the Torah "the sabbath of sabbaths" -- meaning, "the rest day of rest days" for the Jews.

In one verse of the Torah, the first day of Passover, which always fall on the 15th day of the lunar Hebrew month of Nisan (the day of the full moon), is called a "sabbath day," meaning a "rest day," because Jews have to withhold from performing certain activities on that day, which falls on different days of the week in different years.

So the false religion of a "lunar sabbath" was created by people who claim that based on that verse, which they misinterpret, the day of the full moon of the month of Tishrei must be [sic.] one of the weekly 7th-day Sabbath days that G-d commands for the Jews -- which anyway Gentiles are not permitted to establish for themselves on any day of the week, month or year, because only Jews are permitted to observe the holy convocation days that G-d commanded upon them. Gentiles are permitted to honor those days, but not to make them into holy convocations days for themselves. See post #1 in this thread:

(07-18-2007, 08:30 AM)Rabbi Schochet Wrote: I would go so far as to suggest that if Noahides want to light candles in honor of the Jewish Sabbath or Holy Days, they can do so but in context of adding festivity to the day (since it is a custom of the world in general to light candles for festive occasions), and to do so when sitting down to have a special meal (thus after sunset - unless it is summer and they have their meal much earlier, or alternatively, have then a special "festive snack" after sunset - if they ate before - to mark the seventh day which begins after sunset).

So the "lunar sabbath" idea is heresy, and it is not what G-d wants.

> How can we be sure that the Sabbath is on Saturday every month?

That is explained on this page of our web site: https://asknoah.org/essay/the-seventh-day
#18
Greetings,

Is it forbiden to have a non-obligatory clebration (party) every Friday Night through Saturday in order to commemorate the creation of the world and the giving of the Sabbath to the Jewish People?

In that case if the above is ok and not establishing a new religion or some other forbidden activiy could the group or individual then choose to set aside that day to study about the Sabbath restriction in order to understand the society and culture of the Jews as it pertains to the Sabbath?

If I'm still ok with the above would it be wrong for a person to rest on this day with the intent to immitate G-d and not as some required observance, service or commandment?


p.s. One part of me would be amazed if all the above is permissable. The other part would be amazed if it is not permissable.
#19
(12-08-2011, 09:25 PM)brandynpublic Wrote: Is it forbidden to have a non-obligatory celebration (party) every Friday Night through Saturday in order to commemorate the creation of the world and the giving of the Sabbath to the Jewish People?

It seems that it would be forbidden for a Gentile to party with that purpose in mind for the entire 24 hours of Friday night through Saturday, or even just for all of your time awake during that period, because it would be totally out of the ordinary (like a religious precept), and you would be making a total and religious distinction for yourself between the 7th day and the other days of the week, in terms of your behavior and activities. So I will address your following questions as separate from this first question.

Some good suggestions for Noahides who want to honor the 7th day has already been given by Rabbi Immanuel Schochet, and that is post #1 on this page of the forum:
https://asknoah.org/forum/showthread.php?tid=145
Note that his suggestions there involve limited celebratory activities that would be permitted for Gentiles on other days as well.

(12-08-2011, 09:25 PM)brandynpublic Wrote: could the group or individual choose to set aside that day to study about the Sabbath restriction in order to understand the society and culture of the Jews as it pertains to the Sabbath?

It seems that it would be forbidden for a Gentile to do nothing but study that for the entire 24 hours of Friday night through Saturday, or even just for all of your time awake during that period, because it would be totally out of the ordinary (like a religious precept), and you would be making a total and religious distinction for yourself between the 7th day and the other days of the week, in terms of your behavior and activities. But setting aside a limited time (say, up to several hours on Friday night and/or Saturday, and not necessarily all in one continuous study session) is certainly permitted, because that activity is permitted to be done on any day.

(12-08-2011, 09:25 PM)brandynpublic Wrote: would it be wrong for a person to rest on this day with the intent to imitate G-d and not as some required observance, service or commandment?

It would be wrong for a Gentile to do so, because that spiritual (religious) imitation is commanded by G-d exclusively upon Jews, as the commemoration and testimony of His miraculously taking them out of their national servitude in Egypt, which He did for the purpose of making them His eternal servants and a light to the nations, and in order to give them His Torah at Mount Sinai.

A Gentile can participate in this Divine intent by accepting and acknowledging that Jews are commanded to observe the 7th day as a Sabbath to G-d.
#20
I heard a rabbi say that abraham a righteous gentiles kept the shabbat. Shouldnt we keep the shabbat as well since he was seen as a perfect Noahide?


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