בס”ד
A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT VAETCHANAN 5785
And What You Can Do as a Noahide
“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor shall you subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of Hashem, your G-d, which I command you.”
— Devarim (Deuteronomy) 4:2
Sacred Boundaries
The Torah is unequivocal: no one—Jew or non-Jew—may add to or subtract from the commandments given by G-d through Moses. This verse from Devarim is not just a warning against improvisation. It is a foundational declaration: the revelation is complete.
Nachmanides (Ramban, on Deut. 4:2) emphasizes that even well-intentioned religious additions—such as instituting an extra holiday or performing a ritual as a commandment—are forbidden. The Da’at Zekenim adds that such innovations ultimately diminish divine perfection, no matter how pious they may seem.
It’s like a recipe that calls for four cups of flour—adding a fifth doesn’t improve the cake, it ruins it. Similarly, the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 28b) explains that when G-d commands “four,” adding a fifth doesn’t show extra devotion—it misses the mark.
The Chizkuni notes that this prohibition appears in the context of idolatry: throughout history, deviation from G-d’s commands repeatedly led to spiritual collapse—such as in the sin of the spies (Numbers 13–14) and the idolatry of Pe’or.
The Noahide Challenge
Many Noahides feel a sincere desire to do more for G-d. Compared to the 613 commandments given to the Jewish people, the seven Noahide laws may seem few. This ambition is heartfelt—but it can become dangerous if it leads to unauthorized religious innovation.
Maimonides (Rambam), in his Mishneh Torah, Laws of Kings 10:9–10, rules that it is a serious transgression for a non-Jew to invent a new religion or to adopt Jewish commandments independently as if they were obligatory. This is referred to as chiddushei dat—religious innovation. Rambam even states that someone who does this “deserves death”—a symbolic statement underscoring how such actions undermine the authority of divine law.
Why Religious Innovation Is Forbidden
This prohibition is not about stifling spiritual growth—it is about preserving the authenticity and unity of G-d’s revelation. The Torah is not a loose set of laws; it is a perfect, divinely structured system that cannot be altered by human hands.
History confirms this principle. The sin of the spies arose when the people placed their own terms on G-d’s command, resulting in 40 years of wandering. King Jeroboam, who established his own festivals and rituals (1 Kings 12), is portrayed as creating a new religion—an act tantamount to idolatry.
Even the celebration of Purim, initiated by Mordechai and Esther, was the subject of halachic tension. Ramban notes that it was only justified because of an implicit biblical reference. Otherwise, even that would have been a forbidden addition.
Therefore, religions that arose after the giving of the Torah—such as Christianity, Islam, or modern spiritual blends—are, by their very nature, inconsistent with G-d’s eternal instruction. Even when they embrace Noahide principles, they remain unauthorized innovations.
“Do not add. Do not subtract.”
— Devarim 4:2
So What Can a Noahide Do?
None of this means that Noahides are passive spectators in the realm of faith. The Torah provides meaningful and profound paths for spiritual life—as long as they stay within the divine boundaries:
- Prayer and Study
Noahides are encouraged to praise, thank, and pray to G-d. Studying sections of the Torah relevant to the seven laws is both permitted and meaningful. - Performing Mitzvot Voluntarily
According to Rambam (Laws of Kings 10:10), a Noahide may perform mitzvot voluntarily—such as giving tzedakah (charity)1—as long as it is done to gain merit, and not as a religious obligation. - Learning from the Jewish Example
Noahides may be inspired by Jewish practices, provided they acknowledge that many mitzvot are exclusive to the Jewish covenant. For example, a Noahide may choose to adopt Jewish standards of modesty in dress and behavior—not as a commandment, but as a value they admire and personally embrace. - Supporting the Jewish People and Israel
A Noahide can express their connection to G-d by supporting the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Jews and Noahides share a mission to bring divine values into the world—each in their own way: Jews through the 613 commandments, and Noahides through the 7. Supporting the Jewish people is a meaningful way to honor that shared purpose.
A Unique Role – Without Copy or Competition
The prohibition against religious innovation is not oppression—it is preservation. Both Jews and Noahides have distinct and divine roles in the world. The value of a soul is not measured by the number of commandments, but by the faithfulness with which one fulfills their given mission.
A Noahide need not be a “Jew-lite,” and certainly not an imitation. Just as a shoemaker need not become a carpenter to live a meaningful life, a Noahide does not need to become a Jew to serve Hashem with sincerity. Both roles are essential. Both are valued.
For those who genuinely seek a fuller religious life, the path is clear: giur—conversion to Judaism. But as long as one chooses the Noahide identity, one golden rule applies:
“Safeguard what you have received. Add nothing. Remove nothing.”
— Devarim 4:2
This is not a mark of limitation—but of integrity, clarity, and spiritual maturity.
In Summary:
- Creating new religions or religious innovations is forbidden for both Jews and Noahides.
- Noahides can live rich spiritual lives—within the framework of the Torah.
- Adding to a mitzvah does not make it holier; it undermines divine authority.
- True service is fulfilling your unique role in G-d’s plan—with faith and loyalty.
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Rabbi Tani Burton for the feedback
Note
- According to Ramo Mi Pano, tzedakah and, for example, honoring one’s parents are mitzvot that also apply to Noahides. An example of a voluntary mitzvah could be giving ma’aser, which means donating a tenth of one’s income to charity. ↩︎
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