About the Book
Interest in the Seven Commandments for the Children of Noah (all Non-Jews) is growing, and great numbers of people around the world have committed themselves to observe these Divine commandments. Before Ask Noah International (ANI) published The Divine Code by Rabbi Moshe Weiner, a comprehensive, clear, and expertly researched guide in English for observance and in-depth study of these Noahide (or Noachide) precepts was lacking.
Originally published in Hebrew as Sheva Mitzvot HaShem, it was enthusiastically endorsed by prominent Torah scholars. Unique among the other books on this subject, it is an authoritative text that is footnoted with extensively researched Talmudic and post-Talmudic sources. Importantly, The
Divine Code is the authorized translation according to Rabbi Weiner's personal review and editing input. It is supplied with additional explanations and enlightening Editor's Notes throughout.
The book examines and greatly clarifies the foundations and details of the Noahide precepts. Rabbi Weiner begins by identifying and applying the fundamental principles by which the practical requirements for righteous living are determined within Torah law for pious Gentiles. It contains eight sections, beginning with Fundamentals of the Faith, followed by sections that provide comprehensive explanations of each of the Seven Noahide Commandments and their many offshoots. It concludes with an Appendix on the Pious Gentile and the Ger Toshav in Torah Law.
Also included are several section introductions by the renown Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet, o.b.m., a leading Canadian rabbi and author of many
popular books on Torah-based spirituality and philosophy. Additional section introductions were contributed by Joe M. Regenstein, Ph.D., a leading expert on guidelines in the meat industry for improved animal welfare; Arthur A. Goldberg, J.D., author of Light in the Closet and Director of J.I.F.G.A.; Rabbi Shimon D. Cowen, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Judaism and Civilization, and Michael Schulman, Ph.D., editor of the book and Executive Director of ANI and Asknoah.org.
This book is especially recommended for late teen and adult Gentiles who desire to correctly understand and observe the Torah-based Noahide
Code.
About the Author :
Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem is the author of the historic text in Hebrew, "Sheva Mitzvot HaShem" ("Seven Divine Commandments"). It serves as the halachic Shulchan Aruch (codification of Torah laws) for understanding and practical observance of the detailed precepts of the Seven Noahide Commandments and the broader Noahide Code. This groundbreaking work, which took over three years to complete, was published by the organization Ask Noah International ( web site Asknoah.org ). As ever more Gentiles seek to follow a lifestyle conforming to their Seven Commandments, the growth of the movement has engendered some divergent ideas. Rabbi Weiner addressed this issue by clearly explaining what is obligatory, permissible, or forbidden for Gentiles within the laws and perspective of G-d's Torah that was given through Moses at Mount Sinai. This expansively and deeply researched work was closely reviewed by the Rabbinical authority, HaGa'on Rabbi Zalman Nehemiah Goldberg o.b.m., who was a member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Israel. Rabbi Goldberg added his scholarly comments in the book, and granted his enthusiastic approbation. The other leading Torah authorities who provided their approbations praised it as a major achievement which serves to bring an important but previously neglected area of Torah law to the forefront of Rabbinic attention. With Rabbi Weiner's active involvement and oversight, his work was published in English as the book "The Divine Code," which is now in its fourth edition. In 20'21 the second edition of "Sheva Mitzvot Hashem" was published with all three volumes combined into one book. It is distributed by Ask Noah International, and by Kehot in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Michael Schulman is the President and Executive Director of the charitable organization Ask Noah International (web site Asknoah.org), which provides education and outreach in matters related to the Seven Universal Commandments for all people. In modern times, this has become known as the Torah-based Noahide Code. Ask Noah's projects include publication of the "shulchan aruch" ( a comprehensive and authoritative rabbinical codification) of the many precepts that are encompassed by the Noahide Code. This monumental work by Rabbi Moshe Weiner of Jerusalem is titled "Sheva Mitzvot HaShem" (Hebrew edition) and "The Divine Code" (English edition). Ask Noah's on-line presence and global networking have been providing non-denominational, faith-based resources for individuals, families, and communities around the world since 19'99. From Chabad.org: "Rabbi Immanuel Schochet (1935-2013) wrote and lectured extensively on the history and philosophy of Chassidism and topical themes of Jewish thought and ethics. He was a renowned authority on Jewish philosophy and mysticism. He was rabbi of Cong. Beth Joseph, and professor of Philosophy at Humber College, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada." Rabbi Schochet was also the first overseeing rabbinical authority for the organization Ask Noah International (web site Asknoah.org).
Review :
From Rabbi Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg o.b.m., Member of the Supreme Rabbinical Court of Israel, for the original Hebrew text Sheva Mitzvot HaShem: "Behold, I am compelled to speak in praise of the great living scholar, the Rabbi Ha'Ga'on Rabbi Moshe Weiner (may he live for many long and good days), and in praise of his book [Sheva Mitzvot Hashem], a Code of Torah Law for Gentiles, which is an elucidation of the Torah Laws of the Seven Commandments for the Children of Noah. He truly showed greatness in his clear explanations and Torah-law rulings in matters that were not discussed at length or elucidated in breadth in the works of the Rabbinical authorities. Therefore I give my appreciation to the above Rabbi who put out such a book into the world. And for the love of the holy words, I have added comments in a few places [in the book]."
From Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, President of the Supreme Rabbinical Council of Israel and former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, for the original Hebrew text Sheva Mitzvot HaShem: "I saw the good book, well-written and aptly titled Sheva Mitzvot HaShem, compiled and authored by the Rabbi and great scholar, Rabbi Moshe Weiner... I have also seen the immense work that was required to explain all the matters of the Seven Commandments for the Children of Noah, and this was done very well, written in simple, clear language, so that the reader can easily comprehend it."
From Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Head of the Rabbinical Courts of the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) and the Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC), for the original Hebrew text Sheva Mitzvot HaShem: "To the Respected Rav, the Ga'on Rabbi Moshe Weiner, I was honored to peruse and learn his compilation titled Sheva Mitzvot HaShem. I was deeply impressed by the copious citations in the book, which display a great erudition in the Talmud and its commentaries. The detailed development of issues in the material reflects on the author's tremendous effort to solve them."
From Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet o.b.m., Toronto, Canada, for this English edition: "All the scholars consulted have praised this work [Sheva Mitzvot HaShem] as a major achievement, which brings an important but neglected area of Torah to the forefront of Rabbinic attention. They emphasize, though, that it is yet more important to make all people aware of it, in concise and easily readable format, as an authoritative guide for their daily lives. The translators and editor of the English version [The Divine Code]... are thus bringing the project to its first milestone, which is now serving as the basis for translation into other languages. Immeasurably great is the merit of all those who are involved with, and supporting, this extra-ordinary endeavor."
