What is Halachah?

Category: Noahide Laws

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Unlike the term Torah, halachah is meant only one way. We mean the law or quite literally "the way to go." Halachah is the law that tells us how we ought to behave under certain circumstances. It tells us what we must and must not do. Although the Seven Noahide laws are prohibitions there is an aspect although not required but recommended that if observed will perfect the individual. People abstain from many of the prohibitions of the Seven Noahide laws for reasons other than that they are an obligation. Some of those reasons might be, fear of social reaction, custom, government policies, or because the Noahide laws are rational. This abstention is good because it keeps society in order. But mere abstention does not perfect the individual nor make one a better servant of God. To perfect themselves the other side of each of the laws must be considered. Someone that does not worship other gods has fully kept the prohibition against idolatry. However, they have not drawn any closer to God. That individual should not only not worship other gods, but should worship the One true God. Only if both abstention from idolatry and active worship of God is performed by the Noahide is he able to reap the perfecting benefits of Torah and draw closer to God. Therefore a Noahide who also keeps the positive halachah of the seven laws according to the way they should be done, benefits both in this world and the next. Halachah for the Noahide laws deals with things that a gentile should and should not do. NEXT: In the following sections we will examine each of the Noahide laws with examples.