{"id":19085,"date":"2024-08-30T14:07:08","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T13:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/?p=19085"},"modified":"2024-08-30T14:07:08","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T13:07:08","slug":"the-importance-of-following-g-ds-commandments-and-the-role-of-false-prophets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com\/es\/the-importance-of-following-g-ds-commandments-and-the-role-of-false-prophets\/","title":{"rendered":"LA IMPORTANCIA DE SEGUIR LOS MANDAMIENTOS DE DIOS Y EL DESAF\u00cdO DE LOS FALSOS PROFETAS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u05d1\u05e1”\u05d3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT<\/a> <\/strong>RE’EH 5784<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning of this parasha of Re\u2019eh, Moses presents the Israelites with a choice between blessing and curse, emphasizing the significance of adhering to their commandments from the One G-d. Among other things, the parasha stresses the central role of worshiping the One G-d, prohibits idolatry, and underscores social justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s Focus on Deuteronomy 13:2-6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams–and he give thee a sign or a wonder,<\/td>\u05d1  \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0, \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d7\u05b9\u05dc\u05b5\u05dd \u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd; \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea, \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b5\u05ea.<\/td><\/tr>
3 and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spoke unto thee–saying: ‘Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them’;<\/td>\u05d2  \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b5\u05ea, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8-\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8:  \u05e0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b5\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd–\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b5\u05dd.<\/td><\/tr>
 4 thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or unto that dreamer of dreams; for the L-RD your G-d putteth you to proof, to know whether ye do love the L-RD your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul.<\/td>\u05d3  \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05e2, \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d3\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0, \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd, \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0:  \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e1\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d3’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05dc\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d4\u05b2\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b2\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d3’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05db\u05b6\u05dd.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Noahide Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Noahides hold a fundamental faith in the One G-d, the G-d of Israel, Who creates and sustains all existence. This principle traces back to the first human, Adam. The prohibition of idolatry within the Noahide laws reinforces the acceptance that the One G-d is beyond any form. Any doctrine suggesting that the One G-d could be a human or assume a finite, physical form is considered idolatrous by His standards, as we learn in the Torah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This acceptance of the absolute unity of the One G-d is intrinsically linked to the Noahide commandment against idolatry. The commandment to recognize and believe in the One G-d is implicit in the Noahide prohibition against idolatry, following the Oral Torah principle stated in Seifrei (Deuteronomy 46 and Deuteronomy 11:19):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrom the negative, you infer the positive; and from the positive, the negative.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where is the Noahide\u2019s prohibition of idolatry known from the Book of Genesis?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Tractate Sanhedrin 56b<\/a> the foundation of the Noahides Laws is discussed. Rabbi Yo\u1e25anan say they are hinted to in G-d\u2019s original communication to Adam in a way of commanding, in  Genesis 2:16-17<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 And the L-RD G-dcommanded the man, saying: ‘Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat;<\/td>\u05d8\u05d6  \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5 \u05d3’ \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd, \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8:  \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b9\u05bc\u05dc \u05e2\u05b5\u05e5-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05b8\u05bc\u05df, \u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05ea\u05b9\u05bc\u05d0\u05db\u05b5\u05dc.<\/td><\/tr>
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’<\/td>\u05d9\u05d6  \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b5\u05e5, \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05b7\u05bc\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2–\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b7\u05dc, \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b6\u05bc\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc:  \u05db\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9, \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05b6\u05bc\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc–\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As Rabbi Moshe Weiner presents in The Divine Code<\/em>, Part II, topic 1:1,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The Master of the universe commanded Adam in the prohibition against serving idols,[2]<\/a> as it says,[3]<\/a> \u201cAnd the L-rd G-d commanded [upon] Adam \u2026,\u201d meaning that G-d commanded Adam to submit to His Divinity. The Sages explained that there are three meanings in this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am G-d; do not exchange Me\u201d \u2013 to rebel and replace Me with another god, which is the prohibition of idolatry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am G-d; do not curse Me\u201d \u2013 this being the prohibition of blaspheming G-d\u2019s Name, since for G-d\u2019s honor one must not disgrace and blaspheme Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am G-d; the fear of Me shall be upon you\u201d \u2013 this being the obligation to fear G-d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prohibition of idolatry has two facets: the command to recognize and know G-d, and the prohibition against serving idols.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

So in what context do we say that there are only seven Divine commandments for Non-Jews? Those are the seven categories of transgressions that include \u201ccapital sins\u201d, for which Non-Jews are \u201cwarned\u201d that they would be  liable  for capital punishment from an empowered Noahide beit din<\/em>. The rest of their obligations to G-d derive or are implicit from those seven commandments, or from objective human logic and morality in consonance with Torah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rejecting False Prophets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In conversations with individuals from other religions, they commonly ask how it can be asserted that their non-Torah religion is not true, when certain individuals performed great wonders in the name of their god(s)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to the text in Deuteronomy 13:2-6<\/a>, we see that it addresses the phenomenon of false prophets who try to lead the Jewish people away from the One G-d. Rabbi Moshe Weiner in the book The Divine Code<\/em> provides the following description of a false prophet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cA Jew or a Non-Jew who claims that G-d sent him to add, remove, or change a commandment from those that G-d gave through Moses (the 613 Jewish Commandments and the Seven Noahide Commandments), is a false prophet. This applies even if he says that G-d sent him to explain the observance of a commandment in a way that differs from the tradition that was received from Moses, or that G-d sent him with a message that one of these commandments was only meant for earlier times, but nowadays G-d has changed or nullified it.\u201d[4]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, while signs and wonders performed by individuals may appear convincing, they do not validate their claims if they deviate from the commandments given by G-d through Moses. The true validation of prophets is not in their miracles but in their adherence to the Torah\u2019s commandments and their alignment with the tradition received from Moses. The performance of seemingly miraculous acts does not override the fundamental teachings of G-d, which have been preserved through the generations by the Jewish people. Thus, adherence to the Torah laws remains the true measure of faith and authenticity, ensuring that we remain steadfast in our devotion to the One G-d of Israel and resist the influence of those who seek to lead us astray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Purpose of Testing: Spiritual Growth Through Challenges and Commitment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Verse 4 above explains that false prophets might perform even perform supernatural signs and wonders. However, nothing occurs without G-d\u2019s will; He grants them ability to perform these things through demonic forces or powers of spiritual impurity. The purpose of this is to test whether people truly accept and love G-d with all their heart and soul. The term for \u201ctesting\u201d \u2013 \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e1\u05b6\u05bc\u059e\u05d4 \u2013 also means \u201celevating.\u201d Thus, this verse may be interpreted as: \u201cG-d is testing you to provide you with an opportunity to reach a higher level of Divine knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But why would G-d test people in such a way, knowing that it might lead some to be misled and potentially turn away from Him, and to  then serve other gods? Why does He permit the existence of false prophets who might entice individuals to stray from the true path?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer lies in the concepts of (a) spiritual growth through challenge, and (b) giving a person free choice go in the direction that he wants to go. Just as physical strength is built through physical resistance in a gym, spiritual strength is developed through overcoming trials and temptations. When a force tries to pull you away from G-d, it creates a form of spiritual resistance. You must strive extra hard to cling to Him (\u05ea\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e7\u05bd\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u2013 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e7 \u2013 to stay close), which strengthens your faith and deepens your relationship with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the gym analogy: you can only strengthen your muscles if there is resistance; the more resistance you push yourself to overcome, the stronger your muscles become. Similarly, your mental and spiritual muscles can only grow stronger through challenges. Challenges in the form of false prophets will motivate righteous people to reaffirm and reinforce their commitment to G-d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

G-d teaches the Jewish people\u2014and by extension, all those who follow the Noahide laws\u2014that they will have a connection with Him by fearing Him (Deuteronomy 10:20<\/a>) and loving Him (Deuteronomy 11:22<\/a>). Fear and love of G-d are tools we can use to guard against idolatry and the influence of false prophets. Fear helps us adhere to the commandments that forbid certain actions, while love encourages us to perform positive deeds that strengthen our bond with G-d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, these tests provide an opportunity for righteous people to have deeper spiritual engagement and growth. They challenge us to solidify our faith, make a conscious choice to follow the true path laid out by G-d from His Torah, and grow closer to Him through both active devotion and overcoming tests and challenges.[5]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Seven Noahide Commandments and the broader Noahide Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Seven Noahide commandments include six negative commandments (prohibitions). The one positive commandment, establishment of righteous courts of law, includes prohibition of actions which undermine justice, such as bribing a judge or giving false testimony. As we have cited earlier, from the negative commandments, we can infer their positive counterparts, and vice versa for a positive commandment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of idolatry<\/strong>: This is a facet of the general positive  command to recognize and know the unique One G-d, which is the foundation of all other negative and positive commandments that G-d commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of blasphemy (cursing the Name of G-d)<\/strong>: Consequently, one must have fear, awe and reverence for G-d and His Name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of murder<\/strong>: Therefore, there is a corresponding positive obligation to value, preserve and protect human life (i.e., all lives matter).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of forbidden sexual relations<\/strong>: Hence, there is a positive obligation to practice modesty and for men and women to cling to their permitted spouses in marriage instead of pursuing licentious relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of theft<\/strong>: This teaches that one must respect and safeguard other people\u2019s property, and practice fairness and integrity in one\u2019s interactions with other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7   The prohibition of eating meat removed from a living animal<\/strong>: This teaches obligations to follow humane slaughter practices, to treat all creatures with compassion, and to avoid cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n