Noachide Laws

Seven primary rules of morality which, in the rabbinic view, are the duty of all mankind to obey as the descendants of a common ancestor. Traditionally imposed on Noah, these Noachide (or "Noachian") Laws preceded the Torah and the Halakhah---the legal system meant only for the Jewish people. According to Maimonides, acceptance---on the basis of the Bible---of the seven universal precepts means that any such righteous Gentile is numbered with "the pious ones among the nations of the world (ḥasidé Ummot Ha-Olam) deserving a share in the World to Come" (Tos. to Sanh. 13:2).

Christians and Muslims are regarded by most halakhic authorities as non-idolaters and as having accepted the Noachide Laws.

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