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Question about innocent people and idolatry.
#4
Director Michael Wrote:Liability for transgressions of the Noahide Commandments is only incurred if one does the forbidden act knowingly and deliberately (with the exception of negligent homicide). Please see Part 1, Chapter 4, in "The Divine Code," Volume 1, by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, where this question is answered in detail. If a person errs in judging his own sinful actions as permissible, he is only liable if he should have learned that those actions are forbidden. In geographical areas or times in history in which a community does not know at all about non-obvious aspects of the Noahide Commandments (for example, the prohibition against idolatry), one can't say that the person should have learned them, because it wasn't yet possible, and therefore he isn't liable for them. But for the aspects that are universally logically binding according to adult human intellect, there is no exemption for not knowing/realizing that they are forbidden.

Dear Michael,
That seems to imply that true ignorance of the severity of idolatry is bliss, if those that don't know aren't told (since they won't be held liable).

Also, which are 'the aspects that are universally logically binding according to adult human intellect'? Since the 7 laws are meant to be defined by the Oral Law, and in Laws of Kings 8:11 says the following, how can 'universally logically binding according to adult human intellect' apply?

A Gentile who accepts the seven commandments and observes them meticulously is a “Righteous Gentile,” and will have a portion in the World to Come, provided that he accepts and performs them because G--d commanded so in the Torah.... But if his observance is based upon reason, he is not a resident alien, or one of the pious Gentiles, or one of their wise men.

Thanks in advance to your reply. Shalom.
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RE: Question about innocent people and idolatry. - by pixelman - 11-29-2009, 03:55 AM

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