09-09-2008, 01:27 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-09-2008, 01:33 PM by Director Michael.)
Sh'lom Teodor,
You have asked a very broad question! I browsed through our discussion thread titled "Noahide Torah Study," and collected some answers that will address this topic, and I have added on to those.
A Noahide should be aware that the Torah he studies is Divine Wisdom, which G-d has provided for the individual's benefit. The most important goal for a Noahide's Torah learning is to gain the necessary information about what is forbidden and what is required, and to what extent, and in what things is he obligated, and in what things is he is exempt.
In this way, an Noahide can confidently lead a righteous and pious life in G-d's eyes, and merit blessings in this world, and reward in the World to Come. He can also fulfill his Divine task to contribute, through his good actions, to making the world a more fitting vehicle to receive and reveal G-d's blessings.
You are really free to set up any schedule of your choosing if you are interested in daily Torah study. You should learn in a language you understand, using translations and appropriate texts from reliable Orthodox Jewish sources.
If you are interested in study of the Hebrew Bible, you may learn it along with explanations of the "p'shat" meaning of the verses, such as the explanations by Rashi, or the compilations of short explanations as you can find in most Hebrew-English synagogue Bibles (such as the Artscroll Stone edition).
The Five Books of Moses are divided into portions to be read in the synagogue for each week of the year (in the Hebrew calendar), and each weekly portion is divided into seven sections. So that is just one convenient schedule that can be followed. You could also create your own schedule for completing the entire Hebrew Bible ("Tanakh").
But it is more important, and actually required, to study and understand the details of the Noahide Commandments which carry strict liability and which a person might err in as he goes about his daily life. Practically speaking, for most people, the most important of all is to understand and carefully follow the precepts in regard to theft, since this applies for even very small amounts.
An important principle is not to take on more than you are going to be able to reasonably accomplish in your available time, along with your other responsibilities for family, work, community, exercise, rest, etc. If you take on too much and then get discouraged and give up because you can't accomplish your original goal, that is definitely counterproductive. Start with a schedule you know you can accomplish without a lot of difficulty and stress, and then if you want to do more you can work up from there.
You have asked a very broad question! I browsed through our discussion thread titled "Noahide Torah Study," and collected some answers that will address this topic, and I have added on to those.
A Noahide should be aware that the Torah he studies is Divine Wisdom, which G-d has provided for the individual's benefit. The most important goal for a Noahide's Torah learning is to gain the necessary information about what is forbidden and what is required, and to what extent, and in what things is he obligated, and in what things is he is exempt.
In this way, an Noahide can confidently lead a righteous and pious life in G-d's eyes, and merit blessings in this world, and reward in the World to Come. He can also fulfill his Divine task to contribute, through his good actions, to making the world a more fitting vehicle to receive and reveal G-d's blessings.
You are really free to set up any schedule of your choosing if you are interested in daily Torah study. You should learn in a language you understand, using translations and appropriate texts from reliable Orthodox Jewish sources.
If you are interested in study of the Hebrew Bible, you may learn it along with explanations of the "p'shat" meaning of the verses, such as the explanations by Rashi, or the compilations of short explanations as you can find in most Hebrew-English synagogue Bibles (such as the Artscroll Stone edition).
The Five Books of Moses are divided into portions to be read in the synagogue for each week of the year (in the Hebrew calendar), and each weekly portion is divided into seven sections. So that is just one convenient schedule that can be followed. You could also create your own schedule for completing the entire Hebrew Bible ("Tanakh").
But it is more important, and actually required, to study and understand the details of the Noahide Commandments which carry strict liability and which a person might err in as he goes about his daily life. Practically speaking, for most people, the most important of all is to understand and carefully follow the precepts in regard to theft, since this applies for even very small amounts.
An important principle is not to take on more than you are going to be able to reasonably accomplish in your available time, along with your other responsibilities for family, work, community, exercise, rest, etc. If you take on too much and then get discouraged and give up because you can't accomplish your original goal, that is definitely counterproductive. Start with a schedule you know you can accomplish without a lot of difficulty and stress, and then if you want to do more you can work up from there.